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

# Lorna Simpson (b. 1961)

## What is Lorna Simpson’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 110 auction results for Lorna Simpson at 23 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,267 including buyer’s premium (middle half $728–$20,438, n=14). The auction record is $204,737 for Ice 2 (2025, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ice 2, 2017 | Acrylic paint | $204,737 | Sotheby's | Oct 2025 |
| 2 | Constellation, 2020 | Ink | $132,764 | Phillips | Oct 2024 |
| 3 | Untitled (Two Necklines), 1989 | Diameter of each photograph: 35 7/8in. (91cm.) | $95,555 | Christie's | Oct 2019 |
| 4 | May June July August '57/'09, 2009 | Cartes-de-visite | $64,731 | Christie's | Oct 2019 |
| 5 | Twosomes, 2013 | 24 bronze plaques and 19 photographs in bronze frames, in 43 parts | $63,465 | Phillips | Jun 2019 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hands, 2016 | Screenprint | $88,900 | Sotheby's | Nov 2025 |
| 2 | The Park, 1995 | Serigraph on 6 felt panels with 2 felt text panels | $76,200 | Sotheby's | Nov 2023 |
| 3 | 2 Tracks, 1990 | Silver | $69,300 | Sotheby's | Jul 2021 |
| 4 | Lower Region, 1992 | Three Polaroid-Polacolor prints mounted with an engraved plexiglass plate | $58,673 | Tajan | Nov 2013 |
| 5 | Portrait, 1988 | Silver gelatin print, in artist's frame with engraved plastic plaque | $57,592 | Phillips | Oct 2020 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 22 | $27,225 |
| Works on paper | 17 | $20,160 |
| Prints | 29 | $4,445 |
| Other | 15 | $1,500 |
| Sculpture | 7 | $625 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 18 | $40,925 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 30 | $11,925 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 44 | $1,255 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 110 results from 23 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Lorna Simpson is an American artist with 141 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $7,500. 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 Lorna Simpson sold in 2026 for $20,952, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Lorna Simpson work worth?

Across 110 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lorna Simpson work is $7,500.

The median Lorna Simpson print sells for $1,475 across 38 lots.

The median Lorna Simpson photograph sells for $22,880 across 31 lots.

The median Lorna Simpson work on paper sells for $17,560 across 22 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Lorna Simpson prints typically sell for $516–$1,255 (the middle half of 23 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 | 46 | $1,475† | $88,900 | 82.6% | 2026-01-23 |
| Paintings | 3 | $22,500 | $204,737 | — | 2025-10-17 |
| Works on Paper | 23 | $17,560‡ | $44,917 | 95.7% | 2026-06-04 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 6 | $719† | $132,764 | — | 2026-03-24 |
| Photography | 35 | $22,880† | $95,555 | 88.6% | 2026-04-11 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $92,228 | $204,737 | — | 2025-11-19 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Lorna Simpson's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (46 lots) median $1,475 with 82.6% sell-through. Paintings (3 lots) median $22,500, record $204,737. A typical Lorna Simpson painting sells for around 15× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 6 lots) the median is $92,228.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 23 | $516–$1,255† | $756† | $32,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $3,482–$11,250 | $4,445 | $50,000 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $2,944–$22,325 | $13,104 | $27,720 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 11 | $13,750–$20,846‡ | $20,000‡ | $44,917 |

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

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $400–$813† | $625† | $63,465 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $9,128–$54,848 | $24,855 | $95,555 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 12 | $4,734–$23,438† | $9,762† | $44,100 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 12 | $15,998–$50,023† | $27,610† | $69,300 |

† 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 | 2025 | $204,737 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2024 | $132,764 |
| Photography | 2019 | $95,555 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $88,900 |
| Photography | 2021 | $69,300 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2019 | $63,465 |
| Prints & Editions | 2020 | $50,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $44,917 |

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 Lorna Simpson worth?

Across 110 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lorna Simpson work is $7,500. The median Lorna Simpson print sells for $1,475 across 38 lots. The median Lorna Simpson photograph sells for $22,880 across 31 lots. The median Lorna Simpson work on paper sells for $17,560 across 22 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Lorna Simpson prints typically sell for $516–$1,255 (the middle half of 23 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 Lorna Simpson print?

Based on 38 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lorna Simpson print is $1,475. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Lorna Simpson's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Lorna Simpson print is $88,900.

### What is the average price of a Lorna Simpson photograph?

Based on 31 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lorna Simpson photograph is $22,880. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Lorna Simpson's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Lorna Simpson photograph is $95,555.

### What is the average price of a Lorna Simpson work on paper?

Based on 22 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lorna Simpson work on paper is $17,560. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Lorna Simpson's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Lorna Simpson work on paper is $44,917.

### What is the average price of a small Lorna Simpson print?

Based on 23 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Lorna Simpson print (small (under 50 cm)) is $756, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a large Lorna Simpson photograph?

Based on 12 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Lorna Simpson photograph (large (over 120 cm)) is $27,610, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Lorna Simpson's auction record?

Lorna Simpson's auction record is $204,737, set in 2025.

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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, “Lorna Simpson auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/lorna-simpson (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.