Martin Puryear (b. 1941)
What is Martin Puryear’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 86 auction results for Martin Puryear at 15 houses since 2004. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,198 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,431–$219,075, n=12). The auction record is $1,805,000 for Untitled (red cedar and pine sculpture) (2014, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled (red cedar and pine sculpture), 1989 | Red cedar and pine | $1,805,000 | Christie's | May 2014 |
| 2 | Fraught, 1983 | Painted bass wood | $907,500 | Christie's | Nov 2016 |
| 3 | Cask Cascade, 1985 | Painted red cedar | $907,200 | Christie's | May 2024 |
| 4 | Larx, 1981 | Alaskan yellow cedar | $756,000 | Christie's | Nov 2024 |
| 5 | Thylacine, 1982 | Tin | $713,000 | Christie's | Nov 2007 |
| 6 | Empire's Lurch, 1987 | Painted ponderosa pine | $687,500 | Christie's | May 2021 |
| 7 | Sharp and Flat, 1987 | Pine | $672,500 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 8 | Stripling, 1976 | Mortised ashwood sculpture | $665,000 | Christie's | Nov 2014 |
| 9 | Hero, 1997 | Painted red cedar | $663,750 | Christie's | May 2013 |
| 10 | Untitled (stained pine), 2008 | Stained pine | $475,000 | Phillips | Nov 2019 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 22 | $443,050 |
| Prints | 55 | $2,813 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 18 | $443,050 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 22 | $3,475 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 39 | $3,048 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 86 results from 15 houses · How we compute these figures
Martin Puryear is an American artist with 103 auction lots recorded since 2004, median price $4,219. 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 Puryear sold in 2026 for $6,096, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
1 Martin Puryear work is coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Martin Puryear free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Martin Puryear record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Martin Puryear on OpeningBid →What is a Martin Puryear work worth?
Across 86 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Martin Puryear work is $4,219.
The median Martin Puryear print sells for $2,750 across 59 lots.
The median Martin Puryear sculpture sells for $453,600 across 21 lots.
The median Martin Puryear work on paper sells for $17,065 across 2 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Martin Puryear prints typically sell for $1,964–$4,578 (the middle half of 36 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 | 65 | $2,750†‡ | $22,500 | 90.8% | 2026-10-08 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $17,065 | $20,160 | — | 2024-03-04 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 22 | $453,600 | $1.8M | 95.5% | 2025-11-19 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 20 | $466,000 | $1.8M | — | 2025-11-19 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 19 | $1,468–$3,750‡ | $2,016‡ | $8,750 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 36 | $1,964–$4,578† | $2,906† | $22,500 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| large (over 120 cm) | 16 | $293,600–$693,875 | $558,675 | $1.8M |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2014 | $1.8M |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2016 | $907,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2020 | $22,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $20,160 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $13,970 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $12,600 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Martin Puryear worth?
Across 86 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Martin Puryear work is $4,219. The median Martin Puryear print sells for $2,750 across 59 lots. The median Martin Puryear sculpture sells for $453,600 across 21 lots. The median Martin Puryear work on paper sells for $17,065 across 2 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Martin Puryear prints typically sell for $1,964–$4,578 (the middle half of 36 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 Puryear print?
Based on 59 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Martin Puryear print is $2,750. 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 Puryear's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Martin Puryear print is $22,500.
What is the average price of a Martin Puryear sculpture?
Based on 21 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Martin Puryear sculpture is $453,600.
What is Martin Puryear's most expensive sculpture?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Martin Puryear sculpture is $1,805,000.
What is the average price of a medium Martin Puryear print?
Based on 36 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Martin Puryear print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,906, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a small Martin Puryear print?
Based on 19 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Martin Puryear print (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,016, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Martin Puryear's auction record?
Martin Puryear's auction record is $1,805,000, set in 2014.
See the full Martin Puryear record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Martin Puryear on OpeningBid →