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

# Mark Rothko (1903–1970)

## What is Mark Rothko’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 133 auction results for Mark Rothko at 14 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $8,865,000 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,756,000–$23,722,674, n=16). The auction record is $86,882,500 for Orange, Red, Yellow (2012, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orange, Red, Yellow, 1961 | Oil paint | $86,882,500 | Christie's | May 2012 |
| 2 | Brown and Blacks in Reds, 1957 | Oil on canvas | $85,780,000 | Sotheby's | May 2026 |
| 3 | No. 10, oil on canvas, 1958 | Oil paint | $81,925,000 | Christie's | May 2015 |
| 4 | White Center (Yellow, Pink and Lavender on Rose), 1950 | Oil on canvas | $72,840,000 | Sotheby's | May 2007 |
| 5 | Untitled (Shades of Red), 1961 | Oil paint | $66,800,000 | Christie's | May 2022 |
| 6 | Untitled (oil on canvas), 1952 | Oil paint | $66,245,000 | Christie's | May 2014 |
| 7 | MARK ROTHKO (1903-1970), 1958 | Oil paint | $62,160,000 | Christie's | Nov 2025 |
| 8 | Untitled (Red, Blue, Orange) | Oil paint | $56,165,000 | Phillips | May 2014 |
| 9 | No. 15, oil on canvas, 1952 | Oil paint | $50,441,000 | Christie's | May 2008 |
| 10 | No. 1, oil on canvas, 1962 | Oil paint | $49,625,000 | Christie's | May 2022 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 96 | $6,602,435 |
| Other | 15 | $4,170,500 |
| Works on paper | 6 | $109,808 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 62 | $19,683,750 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 44 | $2,582,500 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 133 results from 14 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Mark Rothko is an American artist with 144 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $4,858,250. 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 Mark Rothko sold in 2026 for $11,871,045, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**3 Mark Rothko works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Mark Rothko on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/mark-rothko?ref=kg:mark-rothko) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Mark Rothko work worth?

Across 128 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Mark Rothko work is $4,858,250.

The median Mark Rothko painting sells for $11,282,022 across 70 lots.

The median Mark Rothko work on paper sells for $3,189,000 across 40 lots.

The median Mark Rothko print sells for $258 across 8 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Mark Rothko paintings typically sell for $7,496,625–$37,266,875 (the middle half of 54 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Mark Rothko work on papers typically sell for $1,197,500–$4,611,125 (the middle half of 30 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 | 13 | $258†‡ | $1,060 | 61.5% | 2023-09-05 |
| Paintings | 72 | $11.3M | $86.9M | 97.2% | 2026-06-24 |
| Works on Paper | 41 | $3.2M | $17.6M | 97.6% | 2026-03-07 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 116 | $5.5M | $86.9M | — | 2026-06-24 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Mark Rothko's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (13 lots) median $258 with 61.5% sell-through. Paintings (72 lots) median $11,282,022, record $86,882,500. A typical Mark Rothko painting sells for around 43,759× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 116 lots) the median is $5,545,200.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $240–$269†‡ | $258†‡ | $1,060 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 13 | $720,000–$4.9M | $1.9M | $23.9M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 54 | $7.5M–$37.3M | $21.8M | $86.9M |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 30 | $1.2M–$4.6M | $2.8M | $8.5M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $3.8M–$11.1M | $4.2M | $17.6M |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2012 | $86.9M |
| Paintings | 2026 | $85.8M |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $17.6M |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $11.2M |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $1,060 |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $269‡ |

‡ 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 Mark Rothko worth?

Across 128 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Mark Rothko work is $4,858,250. The median Mark Rothko painting sells for $11,282,022 across 70 lots. The median Mark Rothko work on paper sells for $3,189,000 across 40 lots. The median Mark Rothko print sells for $258 across 8 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Mark Rothko paintings typically sell for $7,496,625–$37,266,875 (the middle half of 54 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Mark Rothko work on papers typically sell for $1,197,500–$4,611,125 (the middle half of 30 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 Mark Rothko painting?

Based on 70 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Mark Rothko painting is $11,282,022.

### What is Mark Rothko's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Mark Rothko painting is $86,882,500.

### What is the average price of a Mark Rothko work on paper?

Based on 40 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Mark Rothko work on paper is $3,189,000.

### What is Mark Rothko's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Mark Rothko work on paper is $17,565,000.

### What is the average price of a Mark Rothko print?

Based on 8 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Mark Rothko print is $258. 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 Mark Rothko's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Mark Rothko print is $1,060.

### What is the average price of a large Mark Rothko painting?

Based on 54 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Mark Rothko painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $21,764,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a medium Mark Rothko work on paper?

Based on 30 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Mark Rothko work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,831,742, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Mark Rothko's auction record?

Mark Rothko's auction record is $86,882,500, set in 2012.

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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, “Mark Rothko auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/mark-rothko (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.