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

# Katherine Bradford (b. 1942)

## What is Katherine Bradford’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 185 auction results for Katherine Bradford at 19 houses since 2005. Over the last 24 months the median price was $12,806 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,827–$26,607, n=75). The auction record is $163,800 for Six Swimmer Ocean Swim (2022, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Six Swimmer Ocean Swim, 2022 | Acrylic on canvas | $163,800 | Sotheby's | Nov 2022 |
| 2 | Swimmer, 4 Lifeguards, 2017 | Acrylic paint | $151,200 | Christie's | Nov 2023 |
| 3 | Magenta Rise, 2016 | Acrylic paint | $139,700 | Phillips | May 2023 |
| 4 | Night Clock, 2017 | Acrylic paint | $137,049 | Phillips | Mar 2023 |
| 5 | High Tide Swimmers, 2023 | Acrylic paint | $132,300 | Christie's | Mar 2023 |
| 6 | Bike Riders, Night, 2016 | Acrylic paint | $129,429 | Phillips | Mar 2023 |
| 7 | Adult Swim, Superman, 2015 | Acrylic paint | $126,000 | Christie's | May 2025 |
| 8 | Beach Greeting, 2017 | Acrylic paint | $107,100 | Sotheby's | Dec 2022 |
| 9 | White Wave, 2017 | Acrylic on canvas | $107,100 | Sotheby's | May 2022 |
| 10 | Waiting Room, 2018 | Acrylic on canvas, in 2 parts | $101,600 | Sotheby's | May 2023 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 114 | $25,898 |
| Other | 20 | $3,571 |
| Works on paper | 20 | $3,302 |
| Prints | 21 | $1,877 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 34 | $53,975 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 78 | $16,380 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 59 | $7,664 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 185 results from 19 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Katherine Bradford is an American artist with 220 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $13,970. 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 Katherine Bradford sold in 2026 for $26,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Katherine Bradford work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Katherine Bradford on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/katherine-bradford?ref=kg:katherine-bradford) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Katherine Bradford work worth?

Across 185 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Katherine Bradford work is $13,970.

The median Katherine Bradford painting sells for $24,570 across 120 lots.

The median Katherine Bradford print sells for $1,604 across 38 lots.

The median Katherine Bradford work on paper sells for $1,197 across 11 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Katherine Bradford paintings typically sell for $17,430–$34,666 (the middle half of 48 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Katherine Bradford paintings typically sell for $8,190–$16,770 (the middle half of 37 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 | 43 | $1,604†‡ | $18,900 | 88.4% | 2026-06-24 |
| Paintings | 128 | $24,570 | $163,800 | 93.8% | 2026-10-19 |
| Works on Paper | 11 | $1,197 | $16,380 | — | 2026-02-27 |
| Photography | 10 | $2,530 | $7,205 | 80% | 2025-01-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 10 | $130,864 | $163,800 | — | 2025-05-15 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Katherine Bradford's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (43 lots) median $1,604 with 88.4% sell-through. Paintings (128 lots) median $24,570, record $163,800. A typical Katherine Bradford painting sells for around 15× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 10 lots) the median is $130,864.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $780–$3,057‡ | $1,544‡ | $4,410 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 23 | $907–$3,174†‡ | $1,877†‡ | $18,900 |

† 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) | 37 | $8,190–$16,770 | $12,700 | $35,280 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 48 | $17,430–$34,666 | $25,775 | $91,190 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 33 | $40,000–$107,100 | $50,800 | $163,800 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $1,106–$5,546 | $2,721 | $7,000 |

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $1,113–$5,103 | $2,530 | $7,205 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2022 | $163,800 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $151,200 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $18,900 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $16,380 |
| Photography | 2023 | $7,205 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $7,000 |
| Photography | 2023 | $6,048 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $5,278 |

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 Katherine Bradford worth?

Across 185 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Katherine Bradford work is $13,970. The median Katherine Bradford painting sells for $24,570 across 120 lots. The median Katherine Bradford print sells for $1,604 across 38 lots. The median Katherine Bradford work on paper sells for $1,197 across 11 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Katherine Bradford paintings typically sell for $17,430–$34,666 (the middle half of 48 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Katherine Bradford paintings typically sell for $8,190–$16,770 (the middle half of 37 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 Katherine Bradford painting?

Based on 120 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Katherine Bradford painting is $24,570.

### What is Katherine Bradford's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Katherine Bradford painting is $163,800.

### What is the average price of a Katherine Bradford print?

Based on 38 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Katherine Bradford print is $1,604. 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 Katherine Bradford's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Katherine Bradford print is $18,900.

### What is the average price of a Katherine Bradford work on paper?

Based on 11 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Katherine Bradford work on paper is $1,197.

### What is Katherine Bradford's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Katherine Bradford work on paper is $16,380.

### What is the average price of a medium Katherine Bradford painting?

Based on 48 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Katherine Bradford painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $25,775, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a small Katherine Bradford painting?

Based on 37 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Katherine Bradford painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $12,700, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Katherine Bradford's auction record?

Katherine Bradford's auction record is $163,800, set in 2022.

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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, “Katherine Bradford auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/katherine-bradford (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.