Joseph Cornell (1903–1972)
Joseph Cornell is an American artist with 47 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $56,126. 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 Joseph Cornell sold in 2026 for $9,245,316, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Joseph Cornell record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Joseph Cornell on OpeningBid →What is a Joseph Cornell work worth?
Across 41 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joseph Cornell work is $56,126.
The median Joseph Cornell work on paper sells for $100,626 across 23 lots.
The median Joseph Cornell photograph sells for $19,689 across 4 lots.
The median Joseph Cornell print sells for $3,519 across 4 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Joseph Cornell work on papers typically sell for $49,712–$169,896 (the middle half of 23 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 | 4 | $3,519 | $16,402 | — | 2025-12-18 |
| Works on Paper | 26 | $100,626 | $622,356 | 88.5% | 2020-10-02 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $9.2M | $9.2M | — | 2026-05-18 |
| Photography | 6 | $19,689† | $213,134 | 66.7% | 2023-06-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 18 | $208,731 | $9.2M | — | 2026-05-18 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Price by size
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 23 | $49,712–$169,896 | $100,626 | $622,356 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $9.2M |
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $622,356 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $469,714 |
| Photography | 2007 | $213,134 |
| Photography | 2000 | $38,004 |
| Prints & Editions | 2014 | $16,402 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $3,556 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Joseph Cornell worth?
Across 41 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joseph Cornell work is $56,126. The median Joseph Cornell work on paper sells for $100,626 across 23 lots. The median Joseph Cornell photograph sells for $19,689 across 4 lots. The median Joseph Cornell print sells for $3,519 across 4 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Joseph Cornell work on papers typically sell for $49,712–$169,896 (the middle half of 23 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 Joseph Cornell work on paper?
Based on 23 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joseph Cornell work on paper is $100,626.
What is Joseph Cornell's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Joseph Cornell work on paper is $622,356.
What is the average price of a small Joseph Cornell work on paper?
Based on 23 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Joseph Cornell work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $100,626, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Joseph Cornell's auction record?
Joseph Cornell's auction record is $9,245,316, set in 2026.
See the full Joseph Cornell record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Joseph Cornell on OpeningBid →