> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/martin-johnson-heade · updated 2026-11-03

# Martin Johnson Heade (1819–1904)

## What is Martin Johnson Heade’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 82 auction results for Martin Johnson Heade at 12 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $88,200 including buyer’s premium (middle half $42,370–$193,500, n=15). The auction record is $3,438,000 for Cattleya Orchid with Two Brazilian Hummingbirds (2024, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cattleya Orchid with Two Brazilian Hummingbirds, 1871 | Painting | $3,438,000 | Christie's | Jan 2024 |
| 2 | Hummingbirds and Gold and Purple Orchids, 1875 | Oil paint | $2,077,500 | Sotheby's | Jan 2025 |
| 3 | Nesting Hummingbirds, Brazilian Landscape, 1870 | Oil paint | $1,745,000 | Christie's | Nov 2015 |
| 4 | Magnolias on a Shiny Table, 1885 | Oil paint | $1,502,000 | Christie's | Jan 2025 |
| 5 | Magnolias on a Wooden Table, 1819 | Oil paint | $1,491,000 | Christie's | May 2000 |
| 6 | TWO "THORN-TAILS" (Langsdorffs Thorn-tail, Brazil) | Oil on linen mounted on board | $1,385,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 7 | An Orchid with an Amethyst Woodstar, 1874 | An Orchid with an Amethyst Woodstar | $1,360,000 | Christie's | May 2006 |
| 8 | Orchid and Hummingbird, After a Storm, 1819 | Oil paint | $1,326,000 | Christie's | Nov 2001 |
| 9 | Hummingbird Perched on an Orchid Plant, 1819 | Oil paint | $1,136,000 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 10 | Hummingbird Perched on the Orchid Plant, 1819 | Oil paint | $1,082,500 | Christie's | Nov 2012 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 65 | $150,000 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 30 | $305,000 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 40 | $75,988 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 82 results from 12 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Martin Johnson Heade is an American artist with 103 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $142,250. 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 Martin Johnson Heade sold in 2026 for $698,500, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**2 Martin Johnson Heade works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-03).

- [Martin Johnson Heade on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/martin-johnson-heade?ref=kg:martin-johnson-heade) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Martin Johnson Heade work worth?

Across 80 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Martin Johnson Heade work is $142,250.

The median Martin Johnson Heade painting sells for $160,500 across 70 lots.

The median Martin Johnson Heade work on paper sells for $2,000 across 7 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Martin Johnson Heade paintings typically sell for $42,370–$257,250 (the middle half of 35 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Martin Johnson Heade paintings typically sell for $110,850–$927,375 (the middle half of 34 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 79 | $160,500†‡ | $3.4M | 88.6% | 2026-09-24 |
| Works on Paper | 11 | $2,000‡ | $134,500 | 63.6% | 2022-09-22 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 47 | $350,000†‡ | $3.4M | — | 2026-01-24 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 35 | $42,370–$257,250‡ | $77,675‡ | $3.4M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 34 | $110,850–$927,375† | $229,100† | $2.1M |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $1,200–$3,000‡ | $2,000‡ | $134,500 |

‡ 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 | 2024 | $3.4M |
| Paintings | 2025 | $2.1M |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $134,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $3,250 |

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 Martin Johnson Heade worth?

Across 80 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Martin Johnson Heade work is $142,250. The median Martin Johnson Heade painting sells for $160,500 across 70 lots. The median Martin Johnson Heade work on paper sells for $2,000 across 7 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Martin Johnson Heade paintings typically sell for $42,370–$257,250 (the middle half of 35 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Martin Johnson Heade paintings typically sell for $110,850–$927,375 (the middle half of 34 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 Martin Johnson Heade painting?

Based on 70 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Martin Johnson Heade painting is $160,500. 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 Martin Johnson Heade's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Martin Johnson Heade painting is $3,438,000.

### What is the average price of a Martin Johnson Heade work on paper?

Based on 7 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Martin Johnson Heade work on paper is $2,000. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Martin Johnson Heade's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Martin Johnson Heade work on paper is $134,500.

### What is the average price of a small Martin Johnson Heade painting?

Based on 35 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Martin Johnson Heade painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $77,675, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a medium Martin Johnson Heade painting?

Based on 34 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Martin Johnson Heade painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $229,100, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Martin Johnson Heade's auction record?

Martin Johnson Heade's auction record is $3,438,000, set in 2024.

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

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Martin Johnson Heade auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/martin-johnson-heade (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.