> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/jules-olitski · updated 2026-11-03

# Jules Olitski (1922–2022)

## What is Jules Olitski’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 256 auction results for Jules Olitski at 34 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $9,568 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,300–$30,925, n=38). The auction record is $774,000 for Blue Crazy (2021, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blue Crazy, 1963 | Painting | $774,000 | Christie's | May 2021 |
| 2 | Boyar Time, 1962 | Painting | $635,000 | Phillips | May 2024 |
| 3 | Untitled-Seven, 1960 | Painting | $447,000 | Phillips | Nov 2018 |
| 4 | Demikovsky Green, 1964 | Painting | $441,000 | Christie's | Sep 2023 |
| 5 | Basium Blush, 1960 | Painting | $389,000 | Phillips | May 2015 |
| 6 | Basium Blush, 1960 | Painting | $378,000 | Christie's | Nov 2024 |
| 7 | Prince Patutsky Triumph Over Kaiser Hymie | Acrylic on canvas | $338,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2010 |
| 8 | Maximum | Acrylic on canvas | $326,500 | Sotheby's | May 2010 |
| 9 | Julius Orange, 1963 | Painting | $280,000 | Christie's | May 2024 |
| 10 | Flaming On, 1964 | Acrylic paint | $277,200 | Christie's | Sep 2022 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 173 | $27,720 |
| Other | 13 | $15,000 |
| Works on paper | 17 | $6,250 |
| Prints | 26 | $882 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 131 | $37,500 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 65 | $4,068 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 22 | $3,846 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 256 results from 34 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Jules Olitski is an American artist with 293 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $18,750. 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 Jules Olitski sold in 2026 for $35,560, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**4 Jules Olitski works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-03).

- [Jules Olitski on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/jules-olitski?ref=kg:jules-olitski) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Jules Olitski work worth?

Across 254 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Jules Olitski work is $18,750.

The median Jules Olitski painting sells for $25,000 across 168 lots.

The median Jules Olitski print sells for $892 across 35 lots.

The median Jules Olitski work on paper sells for $5,670 across 19 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Jules Olitski paintings typically sell for $18,750–$59,750 (the middle half of 125 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Jules Olitski prints typically sell for $600–$1,355 (the middle half of 33 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 | 42 | $892†‡ | $3,250 | 83.3% | 2025-12-05 |
| Paintings | 180 | $25,000†‡ | $774,000 | 93.3% | 2026-09-23 |
| Works on Paper | 21 | $5,670 | $12,663 | 90.5% | 2026-10-01 |
| Photography | 1 | $30,480 | $30,480 | — | 2024-03-04 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 24 | $222,500 | $774,000 | — | 2024-11-22 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Jules Olitski's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (42 lots) median $892 with 83.3% sell-through. Paintings (180 lots) median $25,000, record $774,000. A typical Jules Olitski painting sells for around 28× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 24 lots) the median is $222,500.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 33 | $600–$1,355†‡ | $892†‡ | $3,250 |

† 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 | $2,656–$5,599 | $4,489 | $7,560 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 25 | $6,000–$20,160‡ | $12,500‡ | $100,775 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 125 | $18,750–$59,750†‡ | $32,000†‡ | $774,000 |

† 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) | 9 | $2,550–$5,670 | $3,660 | $10,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 10 | $4,347–$8,888 | $6,562 | $12,663 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2021 | $774,000 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $635,000 |
| Photography | 2024 | $30,480 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $12,663 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $10,880 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $3,250 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $3,224† |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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 Jules Olitski worth?

Across 254 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Jules Olitski work is $18,750. The median Jules Olitski painting sells for $25,000 across 168 lots. The median Jules Olitski print sells for $892 across 35 lots. The median Jules Olitski work on paper sells for $5,670 across 19 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Jules Olitski paintings typically sell for $18,750–$59,750 (the middle half of 125 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Jules Olitski prints typically sell for $600–$1,355 (the middle half of 33 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 Jules Olitski painting?

Based on 168 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Jules Olitski painting is $25,000. 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 Jules Olitski's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Jules Olitski painting is $774,000.

### What is the average price of a Jules Olitski print?

Based on 35 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Jules Olitski print is $892. 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 Jules Olitski's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Jules Olitski print is $3,250.

### What is the average price of a Jules Olitski work on paper?

Based on 19 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Jules Olitski work on paper is $5,670.

### What is Jules Olitski's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Jules Olitski work on paper is $12,663.

### What is the average price of a large Jules Olitski painting?

Based on 125 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Jules Olitski painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $32,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 medium Jules Olitski print?

Based on 33 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Jules Olitski print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $892, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 Jules Olitski's auction record?

Jules Olitski's auction record is $774,000, set in 2021.

---

Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Jules Olitski auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/jules-olitski (updated 2026-11-03).

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.