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

# Joseph Solman (1909–2008)

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

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 28 | $3,305 |
| Other | 12 | $2,559 |
| Works on paper | 63 | $1,896 |
| Prints | 11 | $550 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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.

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

## 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.

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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 Solman auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/joseph-solman (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.