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

# Leon Golub (1922–2004)

## What is Leon Golub’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 77 auction results for Leon Golub at 20 houses since 1999. Over the last 24 months the median price was $12,825 including buyer’s premium (middle half $6,096–$24,130, n=12). The auction record is $279,400 for Untitled (acrylic on canvas) (2024, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled (acrylic on canvas), 1981 | Acrylic on canvas | $279,400 | Sotheby's | Mar 2024 |
| 2 | Combat (III) | Acrylic on canvas | $84,000 | Sotheby's | May 2007 |
| 3 | Fallen Fighter | Oil paint | $78,013 | Phillips | Oct 2022 |
| 4 | Portrait of Iris Clert, 1961 | Oil paint | $50,000 | Christie's | May 2013 |
| 5 | Head, 1922 | Oil on unstretched canvas | $48,640 | Bonhams | May 2026 |
| 6 | The Go-Ahead, 1985-86 | Acrylic paint | $47,354 | Christie's | Jun 1999 |
| 7 | Kneeling Youth, 1960 | Oil and lacquer on canvas | $44,450 | Sotheby's | Oct 2023 |
| 8 | Henry Kissinger V, 1978 | Acrylic on linen | $37,500 | Christie's | Mar 2018 |
| 9 | Mourning Women, 1988 | Acrylic paint | $34,871 | Christie's | Jun 2019 |
| 10 | COMBAT | Huile sur toile découpée montée sur panneau | $31,846 | Artcurial | Apr 2017 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 32 | $24,130 |
| Other | 8 | $5,461 |
| Works on paper | 16 | $4,814 |
| Prints | 12 | $467 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $47,354 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 36 | $6,563 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 16 | $3,937 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 77 results from 20 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Leon Golub is an American artist with 86 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $6,600. 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 Leon Golub sold in 2026 for $48,640, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

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

- [Leon Golub on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/leon-golub?ref=kg:leon-golub) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Leon Golub work worth?

Across 73 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Leon Golub work is $6,600.

The median Leon Golub painting sells for $20,320 across 35 lots.

The median Leon Golub print sells for $450 across 16 lots.

The median Leon Golub work on paper sells for $4,025 across 12 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Leon Golub paintings typically sell for $15,000–$24,130 (the middle half of 21 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 | 21 | $450† | $1,062 | 76.2% | 2026-10-29 |
| Paintings | 36 | $20,320 | $279,400 | 97.2% | 2026-05-21 |
| Works on Paper | 14 | $4,025 | $6,875 | 85.7% | 2025-12-11 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $81,006 | $279,400 | — | 2024-03-04 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Leon Golub's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (21 lots) median $450 with 76.2% sell-through. Paintings (36 lots) median $20,320, record $279,400. A typical Leon Golub painting sells for around 45× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 4 lots) the median is $81,006.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 13 | $360–$756† | $450† | $1,062 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 21 | $15,000–$24,130 | $19,050 | $37,500 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $34,871–$50,000 | $47,354 | $279,400 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $360–$5,250 | $900 | $6,600 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2024 | $279,400 |
| Paintings | 2022 | $78,013 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $6,875 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $6,600 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $1,062 |
| Prints & Editions | 2002 | $978 |

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 Leon Golub worth?

Across 73 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Leon Golub work is $6,600. The median Leon Golub painting sells for $20,320 across 35 lots. The median Leon Golub print sells for $450 across 16 lots. The median Leon Golub work on paper sells for $4,025 across 12 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Leon Golub paintings typically sell for $15,000–$24,130 (the middle half of 21 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 Leon Golub painting?

Based on 35 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Leon Golub painting is $20,320.

### What is Leon Golub's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Leon Golub painting is $279,400.

### What is the average price of a Leon Golub print?

Based on 16 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Leon Golub print is $450. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Leon Golub's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Leon Golub print is $1,062.

### What is the average price of a Leon Golub work on paper?

Based on 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Leon Golub work on paper is $4,025.

### What is Leon Golub's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Leon Golub work on paper is $6,875.

### What is the average price of a medium Leon Golub painting?

Based on 21 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Leon Golub painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $19,050, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a medium Leon Golub print?

Based on 13 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Leon Golub print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $450, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Leon Golub's auction record?

Leon Golub's auction record is $279,400, set in 2024.

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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, “Leon Golub auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/leon-golub (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.