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

# Leon Polk Smith (1906–1996)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 183 auction results for Leon Polk Smith at 23 houses since 1999. Over the last 24 months the median price was $9,525 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,268–$78,740, n=13). The auction record is $336,500 for Black Over Red (2018, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black Over Red, 1960 | Oil paint | $336,500 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 2 | Architectural Rhythm, 1970 | Acrylic on canvas, in two parts | $201,545 | Sotheby's | Nov 2020 |
| 3 | Red Black White, 1948 | Oil on canvas | $180,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2024 |
| 4 | Correspondence: Blue, Yellow Medium, 1968 | Oil paint | $134,123 | Christie's | Jun 2018 |
| 5 | Arrangement in Black and Gray, 1980 | Acrylic on canvas, in 6 parts | $107,100 | Sotheby's | Sep 2021 |
| 6 | Constellation - Two White Spheres Intercepted, 1967 | Oil paint | $100,000 | Christie's | Feb 2019 |
| 7 | Constellation R, 1968 | Acrylic paint | $88,670 | Christie's | Oct 2025 |
| 8 | Pahuska, 1955 | Oil paint | $88,200 | Christie's | Feb 2025 |
| 9 | Blue-Red, 1966 | Acrylic paint | $81,250 | Christie's | Mar 2018 |
| 10 | Constellation black and orange, 1972 | Acrylic paint | $78,740 | Phillips | May 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 32 | $50,420 |
| Other | 16 | $3,250 |
| Works on paper | 46 | $2,500 |
| Prints | 62 | $2,142 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 14 | $76,620 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 82 | $3,250 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 56 | $2,163 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 183 results from 23 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Leon Polk Smith is an American artist with 228 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $2,510. 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 Polk Smith sold in 2026 for $10,320, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Leon Polk Smith work worth?

Across 182 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Leon Polk Smith work is $2,510.

The median Leon Polk Smith print sells for $1,756 across 76 lots.

The median Leon Polk Smith work on paper sells for $2,200 across 47 lots.

The median Leon Polk Smith painting sells for $35,148 across 40 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Leon Polk Smith prints typically sell for $814–$3,654 (the middle half of 63 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Leon Polk Smith work on papers typically sell for $813–$2,438 (the middle half of 27 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 | 92 | $1,756†‡ | $12,500 | 82.6% | 2025-11-29 |
| Paintings | 48 | $35,148 | $336,500 | 83.3% | 2025-10-16 |
| Works on Paper | 54 | $2,200† | $40,000 | 87% | 2024-11-18 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $38,292 | $38,292 | — | 2018-12-06 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 10 | $103,550 | $336,500 | — | 2025-10-16 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Leon Polk Smith's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (92 lots) median $1,756 with 82.6% sell-through. Paintings (48 lots) median $35,148, record $336,500. A typical Leon Polk Smith painting sells for around 20× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 10 lots) the median is $103,550.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $1,721–$2,829 | $2,188 | $12,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 63 | $814–$3,654†‡ | $1,590†‡ | $11,613 |

† 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 | $2,500–$10,710 | $4,063 | $35,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 13 | $27,500–$68,750 | $40,000 | $180,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $64,343–$97,885 | $81,250 | $336,500 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 27 | $813–$2,438† | $1,125† | $40,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 19 | $2,544–$6,076 | $4,375 | $30,000 |

† 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 | 2018 | $336,500 |
| Paintings | 2020 | $201,545 |
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $40,000 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2018 | $38,292 |
| Works on Paper | 2003 | $30,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $12,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $11,613 |

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 Polk Smith worth?

Across 182 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Leon Polk Smith work is $2,510. The median Leon Polk Smith print sells for $1,756 across 76 lots. The median Leon Polk Smith work on paper sells for $2,200 across 47 lots. The median Leon Polk Smith painting sells for $35,148 across 40 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Leon Polk Smith prints typically sell for $814–$3,654 (the middle half of 63 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Leon Polk Smith work on papers typically sell for $813–$2,438 (the middle half of 27 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 Polk Smith print?

Based on 76 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Leon Polk Smith print is $1,756. 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 Leon Polk Smith's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Leon Polk Smith print is $12,500.

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

Based on 47 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Leon Polk Smith work on paper is $2,200. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a Leon Polk Smith work on paper is $40,000.

### What is the average price of a Leon Polk Smith painting?

Based on 40 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Leon Polk Smith painting is $35,148.

### What is Leon Polk Smith's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Leon Polk Smith painting is $336,500.

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

Based on 63 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Leon Polk Smith print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,590, 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 small Leon Polk Smith work on paper?

Based on 27 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Leon Polk Smith work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,125, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Leon Polk Smith's auction record?

Leon Polk Smith's auction record is $336,500, set in 2018.

---

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 Polk Smith auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/leon-polk-smith (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.