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

# 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.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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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, “Joseph Cornell auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/joseph-cornell (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.