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

# Lee Bontecou (1931–2022)

## What is Lee Bontecou’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 118 auction results for Lee Bontecou at 16 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,302 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,032–$32,250, n=13). The auction record is $9,176,500 for Untitled (welded steel, canvas, fabric, velvet and wire) (2021, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled (welded steel, canvas, fabric, velvet and wire), 1959 | Sculpture | $9,176,500 | Christie's | Nov 2021 |
| 2 | Untitled (welded steel, canvas, fabric, velvet and wire), 1959 | Sculpture | $8,690,000 | Christie's | May 2023 |
| 3 | Untitled | — | $4,227,000 | Phillips | May 2026 |
| 4 | Untitled (pastel on canvas), 1985 | Pastel on canvas | $4,227,000 | Phillips | May 2026 |
| 5 | Untitled (welded steel, canvas and wire sculpture), 1958 | Sculpture | $2,722,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2023 |
| 6 | Untitled (welded steel, canvas and wire sculpture), 1959 | Sculpture | $2,117,000 | Sotheby's | Sep 2023 |
| 7 | Untitled (steel, wood, wire and canvas construction), 1962 | Construction | $1,874,500 | Christie's | May 2010 |
| 8 | Untitled (welded steel, porcelain, cloth, wire mesh and wire), 1983 | Porcelain | $1,633,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2023 |
| 9 | Untitled (fabric, copper wire and welded steel), 1960 | Fabric, copper wire and welded steel | $847,500 | Christie's | Nov 2004 |
| 10 | Untitled (soot on paper), 1958 | Paper | $718,200 | Christie's | Mar 2022 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 8 | $307,500 |
| Paintings | 18 | $297,100 |
| Works on paper | 16 | $128,350 |
| Prints | 67 | $2,125 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $778,000 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 40 | $38,460 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 62 | $2,778 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 118 results from 16 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Lee Bontecou is an American artist with 135 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $4,064. 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 Lee Bontecou sold in 2026 for $32,250, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**4 Lee Bontecou works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Lee Bontecou on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/lee-bontecou?ref=kg:lee-bontecou) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Lee Bontecou work worth?

Across 117 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lee Bontecou work is $4,064.

The median Lee Bontecou print sells for $2,056 across 70 lots.

The median Lee Bontecou work on paper sells for $119,700 across 19 lots.

The median Lee Bontecou sculpture sells for $298,700 across 15 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Lee Bontecou prints typically sell for $1,402–$2,854 (the middle half of 48 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Lee Bontecou prints typically sell for $1,547–$3,869 (the middle half of 20 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 | 76 | $2,056†‡ | $24,000 | 92.1% | 2026-10-14 |
| Paintings | 3 | $254,000 | $4.2M | — | 2026-05-19 |
| Works on Paper | 19 | $119,700 | $718,200 | — | 2026-05-21 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 15 | $298,700 | $9.2M | — | 2024-03-01 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 38 | $307,850 | $9.2M | — | 2026-05-19 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Lee Bontecou's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (76 lots) median $2,056 with 92.1% sell-through. Paintings (3 lots) median $254,000, record $4,227,000. A typical Lee Bontecou painting sells for around 124× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 38 lots) the median is $307,850.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 48 | $1,402–$2,854†‡ | $1,912†‡ | $8,890 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 20 | $1,547–$3,869 | $2,438 | $24,000 |

† 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) | 7 | $38,000–$223,100 | $57,150 | $694,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 10 | $85,038–$179,250 | $122,475 | $718,200 |

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $159,375–$286,100 | $231,250 | $295,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $307,850–$4.7M | $572,500 | $9.2M |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2021 | $9.2M |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $8.7M |
| Paintings | 2026 | $4.2M |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $718,200 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $708,500 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $254,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $24,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $21,420 |

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 Lee Bontecou worth?

Across 117 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lee Bontecou work is $4,064. The median Lee Bontecou print sells for $2,056 across 70 lots. The median Lee Bontecou work on paper sells for $119,700 across 19 lots. The median Lee Bontecou sculpture sells for $298,700 across 15 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Lee Bontecou prints typically sell for $1,402–$2,854 (the middle half of 48 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Lee Bontecou prints typically sell for $1,547–$3,869 (the middle half of 20 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 Lee Bontecou print?

Based on 70 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lee Bontecou print is $2,056. 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 Lee Bontecou's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Lee Bontecou print is $24,000.

### What is the average price of a Lee Bontecou work on paper?

Based on 19 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lee Bontecou work on paper is $119,700.

### What is Lee Bontecou's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Lee Bontecou work on paper is $718,200.

### What is the average price of a Lee Bontecou sculpture?

Based on 15 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lee Bontecou sculpture is $298,700.

### What is Lee Bontecou's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Lee Bontecou sculpture is $9,176,500.

### What is the average price of a small Lee Bontecou print?

Based on 48 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Lee Bontecou print (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,912, 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 Lee Bontecou print?

Based on 20 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Lee Bontecou print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,438, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Lee Bontecou's auction record?

Lee Bontecou's auction record is $9,176,500, set in 2021.

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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, “Lee Bontecou auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/lee-bontecou (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.