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

# Lucian Freud (1922–2011)

## What is Lucian Freud’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 573 auction results for Lucian Freud at 30 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $16,994 including buyer’s premium (middle half $9,793–$42,253, n=107). The auction record is $86,265,000 for Large Interior, W11 (2022, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Large Interior, W11, 1981 | Oil paint | $86,265,000 | Christie's | Nov 2022 |
| 2 | Benefits Supervisor Resting, 1994 | Oil paint | $56,165,000 | Christie's | May 2015 |
| 3 | Sleeping by the Lion Carpet, 1995 | Oil on canvas | $38,508,511 | Sotheby's | Jun 2026 |
| 4 | The Brigadier, 2003-2004 | Oil paint | $34,885,000 | Christie's | Nov 2015 |
| 5 | Benefits Supervisor Sleeping, 1995 | Oil paint | $33,641,000 | Christie's | May 2008 |
| 6 | Naked Portrait with Reflection, 1980 | Oil paint | $23,481,849 | Christie's | Jun 2008 |
| 7 | Pregnant Girl, 1960 | Oil on canvas | $23,369,092 | Sotheby's | Feb 2016 |
| 8 | David Hockney, 2002 | Oil paint | $20,616,310 | Sotheby's | Jun 2021 |
| 9 | Ib Reading, 1997 | Oil on canvas | $20,523,646 | Sotheby's | Mar 2023 |
| 10 | Girl with Closed Eyes, 1986 | Oil paint | $20,335,919 | Christie's | Mar 2022 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 74 | $2,334,070 |
| Other | 35 | $580,080 |
| Works on paper | 112 | $54,985 |
| Prints | 317 | $19,000 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 20 | $10,872,290 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 226 | $39,117 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 280 | $23,479 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 573 results from 30 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Lucian Freud is a British (modern) artist with 695 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $29,351. 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 Lucian Freud sold in 2026 for $1,867,934, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**7 Lucian Freud works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Lucian Freud on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/lucian-freud?ref=kg:lucian-freud) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Lucian Freud work worth?

Across 573 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lucian Freud work is $29,351.

The median Lucian Freud print sells for $17,988 across 325 lots.

The median Lucian Freud work on paper sells for $73,098 across 123 lots.

The median Lucian Freud painting sells for $1,859,948 across 104 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Lucian Freud prints typically sell for $15,126–$59,605 (the middle half of 166 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Lucian Freud prints typically sell for $6,815–$19,330 (the middle half of 149 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 | 391 | $17,988†‡ | $414,246 | 83.1% | 2026-10-09 |
| Paintings | 109 | $1.9M | $86.3M | 95.4% | 2026-10-14 |
| Works on Paper | 132 | $73,098‡ | $23.4M | 93.2% | 2026-06-25 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $2,603 | $2,603 | — | 2022-09-21 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 161 | $810,674 | $86.3M | — | 2026-10-14 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Lucian Freud's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (391 lots) median $17,988 with 83.1% sell-through. Paintings (109 lots) median $1,859,948, record $86,265,000. A typical Lucian Freud painting sells for around 103× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 161 lots) the median is $810,674.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 149 | $6,815–$19,330†‡ | $10,408†‡ | $414,246 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 166 | $15,126–$59,605†‡ | $25,630†‡ | $221,127 |

† 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) | 46 | $455,992–$3.4M | $1.4M | $20.6M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 39 | $62,182–$5.9M | $2.1M | $23.5M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 17 | $4.3M–$33.6M | $15.5M | $86.3M |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 96 | $22,670–$208,912‡ | $38,794‡ | $3.1M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 23 | $148,511–$802,028 | $511,500 | $23.4M |

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

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2022 | $86.3M |
| Paintings | 2015 | $56.2M |
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $23.4M |
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $3.1M |
| Prints & Editions | 2010 | $414,246 |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $221,127 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $2,603 |

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 Lucian Freud worth?

Across 573 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lucian Freud work is $29,351. The median Lucian Freud print sells for $17,988 across 325 lots. The median Lucian Freud work on paper sells for $73,098 across 123 lots. The median Lucian Freud painting sells for $1,859,948 across 104 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Lucian Freud prints typically sell for $15,126–$59,605 (the middle half of 166 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Lucian Freud prints typically sell for $6,815–$19,330 (the middle half of 149 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 Lucian Freud print?

Based on 325 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lucian Freud print is $17,988. 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 Lucian Freud's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Lucian Freud print is $414,246.

### What is the average price of a Lucian Freud work on paper?

Based on 123 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lucian Freud work on paper is $73,098. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Lucian Freud's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Lucian Freud work on paper is $23,369,092.

### What is the average price of a Lucian Freud painting?

Based on 104 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lucian Freud painting is $1,859,948.

### What is Lucian Freud's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Lucian Freud painting is $86,265,000.

### What is the average price of a medium Lucian Freud print?

Based on 166 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Lucian Freud print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $25,630, 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 Lucian Freud print?

Based on 149 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Lucian Freud print (small (under 50 cm)) is $10,408, 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 Lucian Freud's auction record?

Lucian Freud's auction record is $86,265,000, set in 2022.

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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, “Lucian Freud auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/lucian-freud (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.