Larry Rivers (1925–2002)
What is Larry Rivers’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 580 auction results for Larry Rivers at 61 houses since 1989. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,410 including buyer’s premium (middle half $861–$18,976, n=91). The auction record is $2,077,000 for Africa I (2021, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Africa I, 1961-1962 | Oil paint | $2,077,000 | Sotheby's | May 2021 |
| 2 | The Last Civil War Veteran, 1960 | Charcoal | $1,215,000 | Christie's | May 2019 |
| 3 | French Money III | Oil on canvas | $1,142,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2010 |
| 4 | The Journey, 1956 | Oil paint | $457,000 | Christie's | May 2008 |
| 5 | Marriage Photograph II | — | $445,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 6 | Little French Money | Oil on canvas | $432,000 | Sotheby's | May 2007 |
| 7 | Beyond Camels, 1980 | Oil paint | $423,750 | Christie's | May 2013 |
| 8 | Untitled | Oil on canvas | $314,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2011 |
| 9 | July | Oil on canvas | $313,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2007 |
| 10 | French Money | Oil on canvas | $290,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2008 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 121 | $25,600 |
| Sculpture | 5 | $8,890 |
| Works on paper | 79 | $6,300 |
| Other | 55 | $3,810 |
| Prints | 225 | $1,000 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 85 | $25,400 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 86 | $3,406 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 295 | $1,638 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 580 results from 61 houses · How we compute these figures
Larry Rivers is an American artist with 818 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $2,016. 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 Larry Rivers sold in 2026 for $10,320, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
1 Larry Rivers work is coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Larry Rivers free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Larry Rivers record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Larry Rivers on OpeningBid →What is a Larry Rivers work worth?
Across 573 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Larry Rivers work is $2,016.
The median Larry Rivers print sells for $881 across 268 lots.
The median Larry Rivers work on paper sells for $5,818 across 102 lots.
The median Larry Rivers painting sells for $25,500 across 112 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Larry Rivers prints typically sell for $475–$1,500 (the middle half of 209 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Larry Rivers work on papers typically sell for $3,589–$12,525 (the middle half of 56 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 | 354 | $881†‡ | $9,450 | 75.7% | 2026-10-29 |
| Paintings | 123 | $25,500†‡ | $2.1M | 91.1% | 2026-09-21 |
| Works on Paper | 131 | $5,818† | $146,500 | 77.9% | 2026-08-14 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 6 | $6,820 | $30,600 | — | 2026-10-08 |
| Photography | 9 | $4,236 | $20,400 | 77.8% | 2025-11-19 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 30 | $143,100† | $2.1M | — | 2026-02-26 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Larry Rivers's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (354 lots) median $881 with 75.7% sell-through. Paintings (123 lots) median $25,500, record $2,077,000. A typical Larry Rivers painting sells for around 29× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 30 lots) the median is $143,100.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 39 | $458–$2,717†‡ | $720†‡ | $9,450 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 209 | $475–$1,500†‡ | $892†‡ | $9,450 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 13 | $625–$1,764† | $914† | $3,050 |
† 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) | 13 | $21,340–$38,126 | $28,160 | $48,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 41 | $10,000–$44,100†‡ | $19,200†‡ | $314,500 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 51 | $20,825–$113,700 | $42,500 | $2.1M |
† 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) | 33 | $2,250–$7,650† | $3,724† | $102,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 56 | $3,589–$12,525† | $6,598† | $61,250 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $5,625–$37,500 | $11,250 | $146,500 |
† 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 | 2021 | $2.1M |
| Paintings | 2019 | $1.2M |
| Works on Paper | 2009 | $146,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2005 | $102,000 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $30,600 |
| Photography | 2023 | $20,400 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $16,162 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $9,450 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Larry Rivers worth?
Across 573 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Larry Rivers work is $2,016. The median Larry Rivers print sells for $881 across 268 lots. The median Larry Rivers work on paper sells for $5,818 across 102 lots. The median Larry Rivers painting sells for $25,500 across 112 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Larry Rivers prints typically sell for $475–$1,500 (the middle half of 209 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Larry Rivers work on papers typically sell for $3,589–$12,525 (the middle half of 56 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 Larry Rivers print?
Based on 268 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Larry Rivers print is $881. 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 Larry Rivers's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Larry Rivers print is $9,450.
What is the average price of a Larry Rivers work on paper?
Based on 102 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Larry Rivers work on paper is $5,818. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Larry Rivers's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Larry Rivers work on paper is $146,500.
What is the average price of a Larry Rivers painting?
Based on 112 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Larry Rivers painting is $25,500. 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 Larry Rivers's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Larry Rivers painting is $2,077,000.
What is the average price of a medium Larry Rivers print?
Based on 209 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Larry Rivers 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 the average price of a medium Larry Rivers work on paper?
Based on 56 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Larry Rivers work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $6,598, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Larry Rivers's auction record?
Larry Rivers's auction record is $2,077,000, set in 2021.
See the full Larry Rivers record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Larry Rivers on OpeningBid →