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

# Joseph Raffael (1935–2021)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 52 auction results for Joseph Raffael at 19 houses since 1999. Over the last 24 months the median price was $8,640 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,542–$17,975, n=12). The auction record is $57,600 for The Hidden Path (2025, Freeman's Hindman). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Hidden Path, 1997 | Watercolor on paper (two sheets) | $57,600 | Freeman's Hindman | Dec 2025 |
| 2 | Cherry Blossoms, 2008 | Watercolor | $30,480 | Rago Arts | Nov 2025 |
| 3 | Nocturne, 1983 | Watercolor and pastel on paper | $26,000 | Wright | Sep 2026 |
| 4 | SUMMER EVENING, THE LIGHT STAYS LONG | Oil on canvas | $18,750 | Sotheby's | Jul 2019 |
| 5 | Iris in Gentle Rain, 1988 | Color on paper | $15,300 | Bonhams | Jun 2025 |
| 6 | Mid-Winter Lily, 1980 | Color on paper | $15,300 | Bonhams | Jun 2025 |
| 7 | Sunset, 1977 | Oil paint | $15,275 | Christie's | Dec 2000 |
| 8 | Self Portrait, 1984 | Acrylic on canvas | $10,240 | Freeman's Hindman | Dec 2025 |
| 9 | Spirit Like the Wind, 1933 | Painting | $10,000 | Bonhams | Nov 2013 |
| 10 | Three Fish, Blue Water, 1977 | Watercolor | $8,225 | Christie's | Dec 2000 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 10 | $8,438 |
| Works on paper | 16 | $6,285 |
| Prints | 18 | $500 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 15 | $10,240 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 25 | $1,250 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 52 results from 19 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Joseph Raffael is an American artist with 61 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $2,312. 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 Raffael sold in 2026 for $26,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Joseph Raffael work worth?

Across 49 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joseph Raffael work is $2,312.

The median Joseph Raffael print sells for $525 across 18 lots.

The median Joseph Raffael work on paper sells for $6,965 across 14 lots.

The median Joseph Raffael painting sells for $5,438 across 12 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 | 21 | $525†‡ | $5,640 | 85.7% | 2026-03-12 |
| Paintings | 13 | $5,438† | $30,480 | 92.3% | 2025-12-13 |
| Works on Paper | 14 | $6,965 | $57,600 | — | 2026-09-15 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $30,480 | $57,600 | — | 2026-09-15 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Joseph Raffael's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (21 lots) median $525 with 85.7% sell-through. Paintings (13 lots) median $5,438, record $30,480. A typical Joseph Raffael painting sells for around 10× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 3 lots) the median is $30,480.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 14 | $469–$1,689† | $730† | $4,112 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| large (over 120 cm) | 8 | $6,156–$16,144† | $10,120† | $30,480 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $1,270–$7,020 | $3,528 | $8,225 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $9,022–$23,325 | $15,300 | $57,600 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $57,600 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $30,480 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $26,000 |
| Paintings | 2019 | $18,750 |
| Prints & Editions | 2000 | $5,640 |
| Prints & Editions | 2000 | $4,112 |

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 Raffael worth?

Across 49 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joseph Raffael work is $2,312. The median Joseph Raffael print sells for $525 across 18 lots. The median Joseph Raffael work on paper sells for $6,965 across 14 lots. The median Joseph Raffael painting sells for $5,438 across 12 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 Raffael print?

Based on 18 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joseph Raffael print is $525. 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 Raffael's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Joseph Raffael print is $5,640.

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

Based on 14 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joseph Raffael work on paper is $6,965.

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a Joseph Raffael work on paper is $57,600.

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

Based on 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joseph Raffael painting is $5,438. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Joseph Raffael's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Joseph Raffael painting is $30,480.

### What is the average price of a medium Joseph Raffael print?

Based on 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Joseph Raffael print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $730, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

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

Joseph Raffael's auction record is $57,600, set in 2025.

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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 Raffael auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/joseph-raffael (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.