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

# Michael Johnson (b. 1938)

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

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 110 auction results for Michael Johnson at 16 houses since 2002. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,314 including buyer’s premium (middle half $550–$21,502, n=19). The auction record is $88,309 for Under and Over (2002, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Under and Over, 1992-1993 | Oil on Belgian linen | $88,309 | Christie's | Nov 2002 |
| 2 | Pyrmont Blue, 1999 | Oil on canvas | $54,314 | Menzies Art Brands | May 2026 |
| 3 | TERRA ROSSA, 1999 | Oil on linen | $51,689 | Deutscher and Hackett | Nov 2019 |
| 4 | Earth Line, 1997 | Oil on linen | $44,328 | Menzies Art Brands | Aug 2025 |
| 5 | Trio, 1990 | Synthetic polymer paint on canvas | $43,536 | Smith & Singer | May 2023 |
| 6 | SLEVIN, 1992 – 93 | Oil on canvas | $38,998 | Deutscher and Hackett | Jul 2022 |
| 7 | SLEVIN, 1992–93 | Oil on canvas | $38,350 | Deutscher and Hackett | Jul 2022 |
| 8 | CADMIUMS, 2005-06 | Oil on canvas | $35,589 | Deutscher and Hackett | Aug 2007 |
| 9 | AGAINST THE LIGHT, 2002 | Oil on canvas | $34,430 | Deutscher and Hackett | Sep 2017 |
| 10 | The Blue One, 1986 | Oil on canvas | $32,459 | Menzies Art Brands | Nov 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 34 | $24,237 |
| Works on paper | 14 | $1,018 |
| Other | 7 | $407 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 30 | $25,172 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $998 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 15 | $530 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 110 results from 16 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Michael Johnson is an American artist with 175 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $4,874. 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 Michael Johnson sold in 2026 for $24,574, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Michael Johnson work worth?

Across 109 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Michael Johnson work is $4,874.

The median Michael Johnson painting sells for $22,532 across 57 lots.

The median Michael Johnson print sells for $382 across 8 lots.

The median Michael Johnson work on paper sells for $1,019 across 26 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Michael Johnson paintings typically sell for $16,963–$33,937 (the middle half of 50 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 | 35 | $382 | $570 | 22.9% | 2026-08-10 |
| Paintings | 76 | $22,532†‡ | $88,309 | 75% | 2026-06-17 |
| Works on Paper | 34 | $1,019†‡ | $9,560 | 76.5% | 2026-06-02 |
| Photography | 2 | $142† | $225† | — | 2024-11-19 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $52,046† | $88,309 | — | 2026-05-07 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Michael Johnson's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (35 lots) median $382 with 22.9% sell-through. Paintings (76 lots) median $22,532, record $88,309. A typical Michael Johnson painting sells for around 59× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 6 lots) the median is $52,046.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $261–$438 | $382 | $570 |

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| large (over 120 cm) | 50 | $16,963–$33,937†‡ | $24,749†‡ | $88,309 |

† 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) | 18 | $596–$1,019†‡ | $934†‡ | $3,009† |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $1,877–$2,439†‡ | $2,247†‡ | $9,560 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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 | 2002 | $88,309 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $54,314 |
| Works on Paper | 2005 | $9,560 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $3,009† |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $570 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $530 |
| Photography | 2024 | $225† |
| Photography | 2020 | $60† |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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 Michael Johnson worth?

Across 109 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Michael Johnson work is $4,874. The median Michael Johnson painting sells for $22,532 across 57 lots. The median Michael Johnson print sells for $382 across 8 lots. The median Michael Johnson work on paper sells for $1,019 across 26 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Michael Johnson paintings typically sell for $16,963–$33,937 (the middle half of 50 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 Michael Johnson painting?

Based on 57 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Michael Johnson painting is $22,532. 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 Michael Johnson's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Michael Johnson painting is $88,309.

### What is the average price of a Michael Johnson print?

Based on 8 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Michael Johnson print is $382.

### What is Michael Johnson's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Michael Johnson print is $570.

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

Based on 26 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Michael Johnson work on paper is $1,019. 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 Michael Johnson's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Michael Johnson work on paper is $9,560.

### What is the average price of a large Michael Johnson painting?

Based on 50 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Michael Johnson painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $24,749, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 small Michael Johnson work on paper?

Based on 18 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Michael Johnson work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $934, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 Michael Johnson's auction record?

Michael Johnson's auction record is $88,309, set in 2002.

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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, “Michael Johnson auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/michael-johnson (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.