> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/mark-tansey · updated 2026-11-03

# Mark Tansey (b. 1949)

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

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 80 auction results for Mark Tansey at 6 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $228,600 including buyer’s premium (middle half $94,800–$4,179,250, n=12). The auction record is $11,824,500 for Triumph Over Mastery II (2023, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Triumph Over Mastery II, 1987 | Oil paint | $11,824,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2023 |
| 2 | Mont Sainte-Victoire #1, 1987 | Oil paint | $7,200,000 | Christie's | May 2024 |
| 3 | Land Fall, 2007 | Oil paint | $5,765,000 | Christie's | Nov 2014 |
| 4 | Hedge, 2011 | Oil paint | $5,653,000 | Phillips | May 2015 |
| 5 | Invisible Hand, 2011 | Oil paint | $5,317,000 | Christie's | May 2016 |
| 6 | Nature’s Ape, 1984 | Oil paint | $5,174,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2025 |
| 7 | The Myth of Depth, 1984 | Oil paint | $4,686,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2025 |
| 8 | On Photography (Homage to Susan Sontag), 1982 | On Photography (Homage to Susan Sontag) | $4,674,500 | Christie's | Nov 2010 |
| 9 | Revelever, 2012 | Oil paint | $4,645,000 | Phillips | Nov 2025 |
| 10 | Installing the Lens, 1993 | Oil paint | $4,500,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2023 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 50 | $1,578,500 |
| Other | 5 | $107,100 |
| Works on paper | 18 | $96,986 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 36 | $2,987,000 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 14 | $421,900 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 25 | $98,723 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 80 results from 6 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Mark Tansey is an American artist with 90 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $509,000.

A work by Mark Tansey sold in 2026 for $4,024,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**3 Mark Tansey works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-03).

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

## What is a Mark Tansey work worth?

Across 80 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Mark Tansey work is $509,000.

The median Mark Tansey painting sells for $1,877,100 across 53 lots.

The median Mark Tansey work on paper sells for $96,986 across 20 lots.

The median Mark Tansey print sells for $2,040 across 3 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Mark Tansey paintings typically sell for $1,848,500–$4,262,000 (the middle half of 35 sold lots).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 3 | $2,040 | $2,520 | — | 2024-07-23 |
| Paintings | 58 | $1.9M | $11.8M | 91.4% | 2026-07-29 |
| Works on Paper | 22 | $96,986 | $294,562 | 90.9% | 2026-10-01 |
| Photography | 1 | $4.7M | $4.7M | — | 2010-11-10 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 60 | $1.2M | $11.8M | — | 2026-05-15 |

Mark Tansey's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (3 lots) median $2,040. Paintings (58 lots) median $1,877,100, record $11,824,500. A typical Mark Tansey painting sells for around 920× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 60 lots) the median is $1,212,500.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $120,000–$212,500 | $139,700 | $428,400 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 11 | $321,100–$906,000 | $666,750 | $3.2M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 35 | $1.8M–$4.3M | $2.9M | $11.8M |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 16 | $45,525–$121,025 | $88,994 | $294,562 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2023 | $11.8M |
| Paintings | 2024 | $7.2M |
| Photography | 2010 | $4.7M |
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $294,562 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $177,800 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $2,520 |
| Prints & Editions | 2011 | $2,040 |

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 Tansey worth?

Across 80 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Mark Tansey work is $509,000. The median Mark Tansey painting sells for $1,877,100 across 53 lots. The median Mark Tansey work on paper sells for $96,986 across 20 lots. The median Mark Tansey print sells for $2,040 across 3 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Mark Tansey paintings typically sell for $1,848,500–$4,262,000 (the middle half of 35 sold lots).

### What is the average price of a Mark Tansey painting?

Based on 53 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Mark Tansey painting is $1,877,100.

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a Mark Tansey painting is $11,824,500.

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

Based on 20 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Mark Tansey work on paper is $96,986.

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a Mark Tansey work on paper is $294,562.

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

Based on 35 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Mark Tansey painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $2,934,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

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

Based on 16 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Mark Tansey work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $88,994, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

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

Mark Tansey's auction record is $11,824,500, set in 2023.

---

Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Mark Tansey auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/mark-tansey (updated 2026-11-03).

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.