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

# Manuel Rivera (1927–1995)

## What is Manuel Rivera’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 79 auction results for Manuel Rivera at 12 houses since 2002. Over the last 24 months the median price was $22,086 including buyer’s premium (middle half $20,666–$31,204, n=6). The auction record is $234,356 for Espeso para una catedral (2008, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Espeso para una catedral, 1974 | Triptych | $234,356 | Christie's | Feb 2008 |
| 2 | Metamorfosis (Imagen), 1927 | Mesh and wire in metal frame | $152,274 | Bonhams | Mar 2020 |
| 3 | Espejo Herido | Painted steel and wire mesh relief on panel | $116,975 | Sotheby's | Jul 2008 |
| 4 | Espejo congelado, 1973 | Mixed media | $66,439 | Sotheby's | Mar 2023 |
| 5 | Metamorfosis (Huella en el espejo no. 4), 1963 | Board | $66,000 | Sotheby's | Sep 2024 |
| 6 | Metamorfosis (eco), 1960 | Aluminum | $63,958 | Sotheby's | Jun 2021 |
| 7 | Metamorfosis (Petenera) | Steel and wire mesh relief on panel | $62,307 | Sotheby's | Jun 2007 |
| 8 | Metamorfosis Heraldica, 1960 | Panel | $54,846 | Christie's | Feb 2004 |
| 9 | Metamorfosis (Gris), 1960 | Mixed media work | $53,566 | Bonhams | Mar 2023 |
| 10 | Espejo para la infanta Margarita, 1965 | Mirror | $52,223 | Christie's | Jun 2004 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 13 | $38,387 |
| Other | 20 | $34,718 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 13 | $43,519 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 23 | $33,955 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 79 results from 12 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Manuel Rivera is a Spanish artist with 97 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $22,417. 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 Manuel Rivera is recorded as sold in 2025 for $34,755; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Manuel Rivera work worth?

Across 79 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Manuel Rivera work is $22,417.

The median Manuel Rivera painting sells for $35,000 across 15 lots.

The median Manuel Rivera work on paper sells for $1,071 across 6 lots.

The median Manuel Rivera sculpture sells for $52,101 across 7 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 | 6 | $176‡ | $202‡ | 50% | 2022-03-01 |
| Paintings | 15 | $35,000‡ | $152,274 | — | 2024-11-28 |
| Works on Paper | 10 | $1,071†‡ | $7,261 | 60% | 2025-04-23 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 8 | $52,101‡ | $234,356 | 87.5% | 2025-11-20 |
| Photography | 1 | $8,939† | $8,939† | — | 2026-01-20 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $134,625 | $234,356 | — | 2023-03-28 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Manuel Rivera's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (6 lots) median $176 with 50% sell-through. Paintings (15 lots) median $35,000, record $152,274. A typical Manuel Rivera painting sells for around 199× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 4 lots) the median is $134,625.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $23,502–$35,800‡ | $34,699‡ | $152,274 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $34,679–$37,973 | $35,866 | $54,846 |

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

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $25,076–$54,654‡ | $41,778‡ | $63,958 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2008 | $234,356 |
| Paintings | 2020 | $152,274 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2021 | $63,958 |
| Paintings | 2004 | $54,846 |
| Photography | 2026 | $8,939† |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $7,261 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $1,820‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $202‡ |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

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 Manuel Rivera worth?

Across 79 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Manuel Rivera work is $22,417. The median Manuel Rivera painting sells for $35,000 across 15 lots. The median Manuel Rivera work on paper sells for $1,071 across 6 lots. The median Manuel Rivera sculpture sells for $52,101 across 7 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 Manuel Rivera painting?

Based on 15 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Manuel Rivera painting is $35,000. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Manuel Rivera's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Manuel Rivera painting is $152,274.

### What is Manuel Rivera's auction record?

Manuel Rivera's auction record is $234,356, set in 2008.

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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, “Manuel Rivera auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/manuel-rivera (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.