Matthew Barney (b. 1967)
What is Matthew Barney’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 166 auction results for Matthew Barney at 24 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $10,795 including buyer’s premium (middle half $6,930–$25,400, n=29). The auction record is $571,000 for Cremaster 2 (2007, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cremaster 2 | Video | $571,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2007 |
| 2 | Cremaster Suite | Chromogenic prints in self-lubricating plastic frames in five parts | $457,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 3 | CREMASTER 1: The Goodyear Waltz, 1995 | 8 gelatin silver prints and 1 c-print, in artist's frames | $262,089 | Phillips | Oct 2019 |
| 4 | Cremaster 5: The Queen's Menagerie | Colour coupler print in cast plastic frame | $209,221 | Sotheby's | Oct 2007 |
| 5 | Cremaster 2- Genealogy, 1999 | Three Cibachrome prints in self-lubricating acrylic frames | $186,700 | Christie's | Nov 2003 |
| 6 | Cremaster 4: The Loughton Candidate | Colour coupler print in cast plastic frame | $184,727 | Sotheby's | Oct 2007 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cremaster 4, 1994-95 | Prosthetic plastic, bridal satin banner, Manx tartan, silkscreen laser disk in onionskin sleeve and self-lubricating plastic vitrine with plexiglass case | $387,500 | Christie's | May 1999 |
| 2 | Cremaster 5: her Giant, 1997 | Color coupler print in acrylic frame | $348,000 | Christie's | May 2007 |
| 3 | Cremaster 4: The Isle of Man, 1994 | Chrome | $229,500 | Christie's | Nov 2002 |
| 4 | Cremaster 4: The Isle of Man, 1994 | Five Cibachrome prints, self-lubricating and prosthetic plastic frames, Manx tartan | $182,000 | Christie's | May 2000 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 77 | $20,160 |
| Photographs | 41 | $18,813 |
| Works on paper | 11 | $8,890 |
| Prints | 19 | $1,008 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 28 | $28,733 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 68 | $13,915 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 43 | $4,750 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 166 results from 24 houses · How we compute these figures
Matthew Barney is an American artist with 215 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $11,698. 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 Matthew Barney sold in 2026 for $25,800, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Matthew Barney record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Matthew Barney on OpeningBid →What is a Matthew Barney work worth?
Across 166 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Matthew Barney work is $11,698.
The median Matthew Barney photograph sells for $15,240 across 72 lots.
The median Matthew Barney print sells for $3,048 across 41 lots.
The median Matthew Barney work on paper sells for $11,060 across 13 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Matthew Barney photographs typically sell for $5,040–$25,400 (the middle half of 33 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Matthew Barney prints typically sell for $941–$50,625 (the middle half of 24 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 | 48 | $3,048† | $348,000 | 85.4% | 2026-05-29 |
| Paintings | 7 | $16,250 | $101,600 | — | 2025-11-20 |
| Works on Paper | 13 | $11,060 | $108,000 | — | 2026-03-04 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 6 | $2,164‡ | $11,520 | — | 2026-09-23 |
| Photography | 95 | $15,240 | $262,089 | 75.8% | 2026-06-16 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 23 | $156,000 | $571,000 | — | 2025-11-20 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Matthew Barney's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (48 lots) median $3,048 with 85.4% sell-through. Paintings (7 lots) median $16,250, record $101,600. A typical Matthew Barney painting sells for around 5.3× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 23 lots) the median is $156,000.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $655–$3,267 | $1,762 | $182,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 24 | $941–$50,625† | $16,162† | $348,000 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $11,562–$20,080 | $16,250 | $101,600 |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $6,916–$16,351 | $9,545 | $78,000 |
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $3,941–$24,448 | $14,398 | $229,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 33 | $5,040–$25,400 | $8,398 | $262,089 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 21 | $11,094–$50,000 | $27,940 | $162,500 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2007 | $348,000 |
| Photography | 2019 | $262,089 |
| Photography | 2002 | $229,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2000 | $182,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $108,000 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $101,600 |
| Works on Paper | 2005 | $78,000 |
| Paintings | 2022 | $20,160 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Matthew Barney worth?
Across 166 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Matthew Barney work is $11,698. The median Matthew Barney photograph sells for $15,240 across 72 lots. The median Matthew Barney print sells for $3,048 across 41 lots. The median Matthew Barney work on paper sells for $11,060 across 13 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Matthew Barney photographs typically sell for $5,040–$25,400 (the middle half of 33 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Matthew Barney prints typically sell for $941–$50,625 (the middle half of 24 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 Matthew Barney photograph?
Based on 72 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Matthew Barney photograph is $15,240.
What is Matthew Barney's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Matthew Barney photograph is $262,089.
What is the average price of a Matthew Barney print?
Based on 41 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Matthew Barney print is $3,048. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Matthew Barney's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Matthew Barney print is $348,000.
What is the average price of a Matthew Barney work on paper?
Based on 13 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Matthew Barney work on paper is $11,060.
What is Matthew Barney's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Matthew Barney work on paper is $108,000.
What is the average price of a medium Matthew Barney photograph?
Based on 33 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Matthew Barney photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $8,398, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is the average price of a medium Matthew Barney print?
Based on 24 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Matthew Barney print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $16,162, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Matthew Barney's auction record?
Matthew Barney's auction record is $571,000, set in 2007.
See the full Matthew Barney record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Matthew Barney on OpeningBid →