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

# Martin Puryear (b. 1941)

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

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 22 | $443,050 |
| Prints | 55 | $2,813 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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).

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

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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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, “Martin Puryear auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/martin-puryear (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.