> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/john-wesley · updated 2026-11-02

# John Wesley (1928–2022)

## What is John Wesley’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 264 auction results for John Wesley at 28 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $15,360 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,024–$25,400, n=37). The auction record is $577,000 for Plague (2008, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

**Top auction records: paintings, drawings & sculpture**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plague, 1967 | Acrylic paint | $577,000 | Christie's | May 2008 |
| 2 | Donny's Blue Eyed Wife, 2001 | Acrylic on canvas | $409,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2022 |
| 3 | Twilight Over the Lowlands | Oil on canvas | $409,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2007 |
| 4 | Showboat | Acrylic on canvas | $373,245 | Sotheby's | Oct 2018 |
| 5 | Dusk (Pink Cloud), 1987 | Dusk (Pink Cloud) | $360,000 | Christie's | May 2007 |
| 6 | Popeye, 1973 | Acrylic paint | $352,800 | Christie's | May 2023 |
| 7 | Glance | Acrylic on canvas | $338,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2010 |
| 8 | Chateau, 1977 | Acrylic paint | $312,500 | Rago Arts | May 2021 |
| 9 | Armenian Question | Oil on canvas | $288,000 | Sotheby's | Feb 2007 |
| 10 | Woman Removing Panties, 1996 | Acrylic paint | $265,000 | Christie's | May 2008 |


**Median price by medium (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 90 | $82,950 |
| Works on paper | 34 | $21,134 |
| Other | 39 | $13,970 |
| Prints | 47 | $1,127 |

**Median price by size (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 49 | $114,409 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 102 | $17,400 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 54 | $6,832 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 264 results from 28 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


John Wesley is an American artist with 309 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $16,530. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by John Wesley sold in 2026 for $18,060, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a John Wesley work worth?

Across 262 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Wesley work is $16,530.

The median John Wesley painting sells for $78,425 across 99 lots.

The median John Wesley work on paper sells for $10,475 across 83 lots.

The median John Wesley print sells for $1,250 across 59 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) John Wesley paintings typically sell for $79,800–$241,689 (the middle half of 47 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) John Wesley prints typically sell for $750–$1,890 (the middle half of 45 sold lots).

Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 67 | $1,250‡ | $106,250 | 88.1% | 2026-10-22 |
| Paintings | 106 | $78,425†‡ | $577,000 | 93.4% | 2026-02-28 |
| Works on Paper | 89 | $10,475‡ | $80,500 | 93.3% | 2026-09-30 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 42 | $214,200 | $577,000 | — | 2025-12-07 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

John Wesley's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (67 lots) median $1,250 with 88.1% sell-through. Paintings (106 lots) median $78,425, record $577,000. A typical John Wesley painting sells for around 63× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 42 lots) the median is $214,200.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $711–$1,750‡ | $1,350‡ | $6,096 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 45 | $750–$1,890‡ | $1,207‡ | $7,000 |

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 17 | $13,970–$25,400†‡ | $16,640†‡ | $81,250 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 32 | $24,705–$115,107†‡ | $51,250†‡ | $312,500 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 47 | $79,800–$241,689‡ | $122,500‡ | $577,000 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 43 | $1,816–$8,904‡ | $3,780‡ | $55,440 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 39 | $14,605–$35,780‡ | $25,000‡ | $80,500 |

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2008 | $577,000 |
| Paintings | 2022 | $409,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $106,250 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $80,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $62,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $7,000 |

The highest recorded result in each medium. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a John Wesley worth?

Across 262 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Wesley work is $16,530. The median John Wesley painting sells for $78,425 across 99 lots. The median John Wesley work on paper sells for $10,475 across 83 lots. The median John Wesley print sells for $1,250 across 59 lots. Large (over 120 cm) John Wesley paintings typically sell for $79,800–$241,689 (the middle half of 47 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) John Wesley prints typically sell for $750–$1,890 (the middle half of 45 sold lots). Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is the average price of a John Wesley painting?

Based on 99 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Wesley painting is $78,425. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is John Wesley's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a John Wesley painting is $577,000.

### What is the average price of a John Wesley work on paper?

Based on 83 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Wesley work on paper is $10,475. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is John Wesley's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a John Wesley work on paper is $80,500.

### What is the average price of a John Wesley print?

Based on 59 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Wesley print is $1,250. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is John Wesley's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a John Wesley print is $106,250.

### What is the average price of a large John Wesley painting?

Based on 47 sold lots, the median auction price of a large John Wesley painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $122,500, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a medium John Wesley print?

Based on 45 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium John Wesley print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,207, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is John Wesley's auction record?

John Wesley's auction record is $577,000, set in 2008.

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Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “John Wesley auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/john-wesley (updated 2026-11-02).

Historical auction data, not investment advice. Prices are premium-inclusive USD where the buyer's premium is recorded. Figures marked † are hammer prices (buyer's premium not included); ‡ marks a price whose basis is not yet verified. Non-USD results are converted at the sale month's rate.