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

# Ken Carlson (b. 1937)

## What is Ken Carlson’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 95 auction results for Ken Carlson at 10 houses since 2005. Over the last 24 months the median price was $14,520 including buyer’s premium (middle half $9,075–$15,730, n=5). The auction record is $103,500 for Goat Ledge (2008, Coeur d'Alene Art Auction). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goat Ledge, 2008 | Oil on board | $103,500 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2008 |
| 2 | The Rogues, 2015 | Oil on board | $81,900 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2015 |
| 3 | Katmai Bears | Oil on board | $59,500 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2017 |
| 4 | Tundra Slopes, Grizzly | Oil on board | $52,650 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2014 |
| 5 | Elk Family | Oil on board | $51,750 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2008 |
| 6 | Quiet Cold, 2007 | Oil on board | $47,600 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2007 |
| 7 | Rocky Terrain – Big Horn | Oil on board | $45,375 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2022 |
| 8 | Reading the Wind, 2011 | Oil on board | $43,875 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2011 |
| 9 | Tundra Slopes - Grizzly | Oil on board | $42,000 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2006 |
| 10 | Tundra Lake - Grizzly, 2009 | Oil on board | $37,375 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2009 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 14 | $22,815 |
| Paintings | 45 | $20,230 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 54 | $21,690 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 6 | $20,080 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 95 results from 10 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ken Carlson is an American artist with 94 auction lots recorded since 2005, median price $19,000. 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 Ken Carlson sold in 2026 for $20,570, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Ken Carlson work worth?

Across 86 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ken Carlson work is $19,000.

The median Ken Carlson painting sells for $20,080 across 46 lots.

The median Ken Carlson work on paper sells for $550 across 1 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Ken Carlson paintings typically sell for $9,038–$29,375 (the middle half of 40 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 47 | $20,080† | $81,900 | 97.9% | 2026-07-25 |
| Works on Paper | 1 | $550 | $550 | — | 2025-07-18 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $59,500 | $103,500 | — | 2017-07-29 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 40 | $9,038–$29,375 | $19,040 | $81,900 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $17,285–$23,790† | $20,080† | $32,760 |

† 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 | 2015 | $81,900 |
| Paintings | 2017 | $59,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $550 |

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 Ken Carlson worth?

Across 86 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ken Carlson work is $19,000. The median Ken Carlson painting sells for $20,080 across 46 lots. The median Ken Carlson work on paper sells for $550 across 1 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Ken Carlson paintings typically sell for $9,038–$29,375 (the middle half of 40 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 Ken Carlson painting?

Based on 46 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ken Carlson painting is $20,080. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Ken Carlson's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ken Carlson painting is $81,900.

### What is the average price of a small Ken Carlson painting?

Based on 40 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ken Carlson painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $19,040, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Ken Carlson's auction record?

Ken Carlson's auction record is $103,500, set in 2008.

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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, “Ken Carlson auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ken-carlson (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.