Joseph Solman (1909–2008)
What is Joseph Solman’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 125 auction results for Joseph Solman at 17 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,250 including buyer’s premium (middle half $964–$1,563, n=6). The auction record is $11,875 for Watching an Excavation (2024, Swann Auction Galleries). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Watching an Excavation, 1938 | Oil on canvas | $11,875 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jan 2024 |
| 2 | Elaine, 1950 | Oil on board | $10,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2007 |
| 3 | Ruth, 1950 | Sold by the Order of the Trustees of The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden to Benefit its Acquisition Program | $8,820 | Sotheby's | Apr 2021 |
| 4 | Still Life | Oil on board | $6,960 | Swann Auction Galleries | Nov 2011 |
| 5 | Naomi, 1954 | Painting | $6,930 | Sotheby's | Apr 2021 |
| 6 | Portrait of a Woman | Oil on board | $6,480 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2011 |
| 7 | Vase and Table, 1949 | Oil on board | $6,250 | Sotheby's | Apr 2020 |
| 8 | Portrait of a Woman | Oil on canvas | $5,200 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2004 |
| 9 | FLOWERS AND MIRROR, 1954 | Oil on board | $5,000 | Sotheby's | Apr 2020 |
| 10 | Portrait of a Woman, 1968 | Oil on canvas | $4,830 | Swann Auction Galleries | Sep 2000 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 28 | $3,305 |
| Other | 12 | $2,559 |
| Works on paper | 63 | $1,896 |
| Prints | 11 | $550 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 34 | $3,072 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 76 | $1,823 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 125 results from 17 houses · How we compute these figures
Joseph Solman is an American artist with 176 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $2,015. 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 Solman sold in 2025 for $2,812, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Joseph Solman record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Joseph Solman on OpeningBid →What is a Joseph Solman work worth?
Across 125 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joseph Solman work is $2,015.
The median Joseph Solman work on paper sells for $1,896 across 62 lots.
The median Joseph Solman painting sells for $3,146 across 38 lots.
The median Joseph Solman print sells for $517 across 19 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Joseph Solman work on papers typically sell for $1,254–$2,722 (the middle half of 58 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Joseph Solman paintings typically sell for $2,226–$5,050 (the middle half of 28 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 | 23 | $517†‡ | $1,700 | 82.6% | 2024-04-24 |
| Paintings | 45 | $3,146†‡ | $11,875 | 84.4% | 2026-01-30 |
| Works on Paper | 68 | $1,896† | $4,250 | 91.2% | 2026-09-24 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2 | $5,922 | $8,820 | — | 2021-04-06 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 7 | $6,960 | $11,875 | — | 2024-01-25 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Joseph Solman's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (23 lots) median $517 with 82.6% sell-through. Paintings (45 lots) median $3,146, record $11,875. A typical Joseph Solman painting sells for around 6.1× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 7 lots) the median is $6,960.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $411–$978†‡ | $484†‡ | $1,150 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ 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) | 10 | $1,578–$3,325†‡ | $2,925†‡ | $4,032 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 28 | $2,226–$5,050 | $3,212 | $11,875 |
† 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) | 58 | $1,254–$2,722† | $1,823† | $4,250 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2024 | $11,875 |
| Paintings | 2007 | $10,000 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2021 | $8,820 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $4,250 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $4,250 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2021 | $3,024 |
| Prints & Editions | 2002 | $1,700 |
| Prints & Editions | 2000 | $1,150 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Joseph Solman worth?
Across 125 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joseph Solman work is $2,015. The median Joseph Solman work on paper sells for $1,896 across 62 lots. The median Joseph Solman painting sells for $3,146 across 38 lots. The median Joseph Solman print sells for $517 across 19 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Joseph Solman work on papers typically sell for $1,254–$2,722 (the middle half of 58 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Joseph Solman paintings typically sell for $2,226–$5,050 (the middle half of 28 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 Solman work on paper?
Based on 62 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joseph Solman work on paper is $1,896. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Joseph Solman's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Joseph Solman work on paper is $4,250.
What is the average price of a Joseph Solman painting?
Based on 38 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joseph Solman painting is $3,146. 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 Solman's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Joseph Solman painting is $11,875.
What is the average price of a Joseph Solman print?
Based on 19 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joseph Solman print is $517. 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 Solman's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Joseph Solman print is $1,700.
What is the average price of a small Joseph Solman work on paper?
Based on 58 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Joseph Solman work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,823, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a medium Joseph Solman painting?
Based on 28 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Joseph Solman painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $3,212, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Joseph Solman's auction record?
Joseph Solman's auction record is $11,875, set in 2024.
See the full Joseph Solman record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Joseph Solman on OpeningBid →