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

# Joseph Delaney (1904–2004)

## What is Joseph Delaney’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 57 auction results for Joseph Delaney at 8 houses since 2002. Over the last 24 months the median price was $13,970 including buyer’s premium (middle half $6,096–$21,590, n=5). The auction record is $81,250 for Artist's Studio Party (2021, Swann Auction Galleries). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Artist's Studio Party, 1942 | Oil on linen | $81,250 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2021 |
| 2 | Third Avenue Movie, 1940 | Oil on canvas | $62,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2022 |
| 3 | Portrait of a Woman in Windsor Chair, 1991 | Oil on masonite board | $42,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2022 |
| 4 | Harlem, Sunday Morning, 1942 | Oil on masonite | $40,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2014 |
| 5 | Low Key, 1991 | Oil on canvas | $33,600 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2011 |
| 6 | Dance (Alvin Ailey Troupe), 1991 | Oil on linen canvas | $22,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2025 |
| 7 | Girl Reading Poetry, circa 1940s | Oil on board | $21,590 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2026 |
| 8 | Lower Manhattan, 1981 | Oil on linen canvas | $20,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2018 |
| 9 | Untitled (New York Street Corner at Night), 1981 | Oil on linen canvas | $18,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2007 |
| 10 | Wild Joke, 1991 | Oil on wood panel | $17,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2024 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 23 | $13,970 |
| Works on paper | 27 | $1,250 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 21 | $10,000 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 25 | $1,300 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 57 results from 8 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Joseph Delaney is an American artist with 79 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $3,024. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Joseph Delaney sold in 2026 for $3,048, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Joseph Delaney work worth?

Across 52 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joseph Delaney work is $3,024.

The median Joseph Delaney work on paper sells for $1,250 across 27 lots.

The median Joseph Delaney painting sells for $11,325 across 26 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Joseph Delaney work on papers typically sell for $950–$1,590 (the middle half of 22 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 28 | $11,325†‡ | $81,250 | 92.9% | 2026-10-01 |
| Works on Paper | 30 | $1,250‡ | $4,320 | 90% | 2026-10-01 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $62,500 | $81,250 | — | 2022-10-06 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 17 | $8,000–$20,000‡ | $11,400‡ | $62,500 |

‡ 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) | 22 | $950–$1,590‡ | $1,250‡ | $3,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $1,062–$3,000 | $1,125 | $4,320 |

‡ 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 | 2021 | $81,250 |
| Paintings | 2022 | $62,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2008 | $4,320 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $3,500 |

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 Delaney worth?

Across 52 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joseph Delaney work is $3,024. The median Joseph Delaney work on paper sells for $1,250 across 27 lots. The median Joseph Delaney painting sells for $11,325 across 26 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Joseph Delaney work on papers typically sell for $950–$1,590 (the middle half of 22 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 Delaney work on paper?

Based on 27 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joseph Delaney work on paper is $1,250. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Joseph Delaney's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Joseph Delaney work on paper is $4,320.

### What is the average price of a Joseph Delaney painting?

Based on 26 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joseph Delaney painting is $11,325. 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 Joseph Delaney's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Joseph Delaney painting is $81,250.

### What is the average price of a small Joseph Delaney work on paper?

Based on 22 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Joseph Delaney work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,250, 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 Joseph Delaney painting?

Based on 17 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Joseph Delaney painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $11,400, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Joseph Delaney's auction record?

Joseph Delaney's auction record is $81,250, set in 2021.

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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 Delaney auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/joseph-delaney (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.