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

# Karl Wirsum (1939–2021)

## What is Karl Wirsum’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 93 auction results for Karl Wirsum at 10 houses since 2013. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,550 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,468–$4,060, n=20). The auction record is $170,000 for Doggerel III (2019, Freeman's Hindman). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doggerel III | Acrylic on canvas | $170,000 | Freeman's Hindman | Sep 2019 |
| 2 | Standing Figure, 1967 | Acrylic paint | $112,500 | Christie's | Mar 2015 |
| 3 | Wayward Bust, 1970 | Acrylic on canvas | $57,500 | Freeman's Hindman | Dec 2016 |
| 4 | Untitled, 1970 | Acrylic on canvas | $52,500 | Freeman's Hindman | Dec 2016 |
| 5 | Mr. Big Arms in a No Swipe Place, 1977 | Acrylic paint | $37,800 | Wright | Jun 2024 |
| 6 | Mr. Big Arms in a No Swipe Place, 1977 | Acrylic on acetate in artist's frame | $37,800 | Toomey & Co. | Jun 2024 |
| 7 | Untitled (acrylic on canvas) | Acrylic on canvas | $36,000 | Freeman's Hindman | Sep 2019 |
| 8 | All Puffed Up, 1970 | Acrylic paint | $35,000 | Christie's | Jul 2014 |
| 9 | Tonto Disguised as the Lone Ranger, 1977 | Acrylic paint | $34,375 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Sep 2018 |
| 10 | O Bald Music at Dawn, 1995 | Acylic on wood | $32,500 | Wright | Sep 2022 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 21 | $16,250 |
| Paintings | 17 | $12,900 |
| Works on paper | 27 | $3,000 |
| Prints | 25 | $1,524 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 30 | $4,237 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 56 | $2,908 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 93 results from 10 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Karl Wirsum is an American artist with 116 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $4,063. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Karl Wirsum sold in 2026 for $11,520, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Karl Wirsum work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-03).

- [Karl Wirsum on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/karl-wirsum?ref=kg:karl-wirsum) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Karl Wirsum work worth?

Across 93 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Karl Wirsum work is $4,063.

The median Karl Wirsum work on paper sells for $2,794 across 24 lots.

The median Karl Wirsum print sells for $1,040 across 17 lots.

The median Karl Wirsum painting sells for $12,900 across 15 lots.

Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 19 | $1,040 | $4,410 | 89.5% | 2026-10-13 |
| Paintings | 18 | $12,900 | $112,500 | 83.3% | 2026-10-13 |
| Works on Paper | 28 | $2,794‡ | $17,640 | 85.7% | 2026-10-13 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $11,875 | $11,875 | — | 2013-04-25 |
| Photography | 1 | $344 | $344 | — | 2021-07-16 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $55,000 | $170,000 | — | 2024-06-18 |

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

Karl Wirsum's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (19 lots) median $1,040 with 89.5% sell-through. Paintings (18 lots) median $12,900, record $112,500. A typical Karl Wirsum painting sells for around 12× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 6 lots) the median is $55,000.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $664–$3,463 | $1,222 | $4,410 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 11 | $694–$2,278 | $1,040 | $2,625 |

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 11 | $10,541–$28,850 | $12,900 | $112,500 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $1,275–$6,617‡ | $3,937‡ | $17,640 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 14 | $1,844–$2,954 | $2,500 | $8,890 |

‡ 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 | 2015 | $112,500 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $37,800 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $17,640 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2013 | $11,875 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $10,710 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $4,410 |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $4,063 |
| Photography | 2021 | $344 |

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 Karl Wirsum worth?

Across 93 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Karl Wirsum work is $4,063. The median Karl Wirsum work on paper sells for $2,794 across 24 lots. The median Karl Wirsum print sells for $1,040 across 17 lots. The median Karl Wirsum painting sells for $12,900 across 15 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Karl Wirsum work on paper?

Based on 24 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karl Wirsum work on paper is $2,794. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Karl Wirsum's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Karl Wirsum work on paper is $17,640.

### What is the average price of a Karl Wirsum print?

Based on 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karl Wirsum print is $1,040.

### What is Karl Wirsum's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Karl Wirsum print is $4,410.

### What is the average price of a Karl Wirsum painting?

Based on 15 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karl Wirsum painting is $12,900.

### What is Karl Wirsum's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Karl Wirsum painting is $112,500.

### What is the average price of a medium Karl Wirsum work on paper?

Based on 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Karl Wirsum work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,500, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a medium Karl Wirsum painting?

Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Karl Wirsum painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $12,900, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Karl Wirsum's auction record?

Karl Wirsum's auction record is $170,000, set in 2019.

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

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Karl Wirsum auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/karl-wirsum (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.