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

# Mickalene Thomas (b. 1971)

## What is Mickalene Thomas’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 129 auction results for Mickalene Thomas at 11 houses since 2004. Over the last 24 months the median price was $6,680 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,756–$12,917, n=32). The auction record is $1,830,000 for Racquel Reclining Wearing Purple Jumpsuit (2021, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Racquel Reclining Wearing Purple Jumpsuit, 2016 | Oil, acrylic, silkscreen, rhinestones, faux pearls, glitter, graphite and flock on wood panel, in two parts | $1,830,000 | Christie's | May 2021 |
| 2 | Portrait of Jessica, 2011 | Portrait | $1,542,500 | Phillips | Jun 2021 |
| 3 | I've Been Good To Me, 2013 | Panel | $901,200 | Phillips | Dec 2020 |
| 4 | Untitled #10, 2014 | Painting | $889,100 | Phillips | Mar 2021 |
| 5 | I Just Wanna Be With You, 2007 | Acrylic | $806,500 | Sotheby's | May 2021 |
| 6 | Clarivel Left, 2014 | Rhinestones, acrylic, oil, enamel and glitter on wood panel | $596,361 | Sotheby's | Oct 2021 |
| 7 | As If You Read My Mind, 2005 | Wood | $564,063 | Phillips | Oct 2022 |
| 8 | Don’t Forget About Me (Keri), 2009 | Panel | $525,000 | Christie's | Nov 2021 |
| 9 | Portrait of Qusuquzah #5, 2011 | Portrait | $504,000 | Phillips | Nov 2021 |
| 10 | Thom 1, Jet Blue 1, 2018 | Mixed media and archival pigment print collage, acrylic, oil pastel and glitter on paper board | $504,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2021 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 38 | $209,600 |
| Photographs | 19 | $19,350 |
| Other | 27 | $13,750 |
| Prints | 24 | $11,420 |
| Works on paper | 12 | $4,032 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 47 | $226,800 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 40 | $14,725 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 31 | $9,600 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 129 results from 11 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Mickalene Thomas is an American artist with 147 auction lots recorded since 2004, median price $23,750. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Mickalene Thomas sold in 2026 for $25,800, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Mickalene Thomas work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Mickalene Thomas on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/mickalene-thomas?ref=kg:mickalene-thomas) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Mickalene Thomas work worth?

Across 129 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Mickalene Thomas work is $23,750.

The median Mickalene Thomas print sells for $6,930 across 37 lots.

The median Mickalene Thomas painting sells for $201,600 across 40 lots.

The median Mickalene Thomas photograph sells for $19,835 across 32 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Mickalene Thomas paintings typically sell for $166,425–$499,500 (the middle half of 27 sold lots).

Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 42 | $6,930 | $23,750 | 88.1% | 2026-10-22 |
| Paintings | 41 | $201,600 | $1.8M | 97.6% | 2026-02-28 |
| Works on Paper | 6 | $2,921 | $12,968 | 66.7% | 2025-12-02 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 3 | $35,560† | $564,063 | — | 2023-03-08 |
| Photography | 34 | $19,835 | $504,000 | 94.1% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 38 | $310,802 | $1.8M | — | 2025-11-15 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Mickalene Thomas's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (42 lots) median $6,930 with 88.1% sell-through. Paintings (41 lots) median $201,600, record $1,830,000. A typical Mickalene Thomas painting sells for around 29× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 38 lots) the median is $310,802.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $3,052–$10,099 | $5,229 | $23,750 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 15 | $4,182–$12,750 | $6,930 | $16,380 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $12,700–$18,750 | $13,750 | $20,400 |

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 12 | $42,234–$76,937 | $52,989 | $117,570 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 27 | $166,425–$499,500 | $346,542 | $1.8M |

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $8,750–$20,320 | $12,600 | $63,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $4,500–$109,694 | $13,200 | $189,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 10 | $23,750–$43,075 | $27,880 | $504,000 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2021 | $1.8M |
| Paintings | 2021 | $1.5M |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $564,063 |
| Photography | 2021 | $504,000 |
| Photography | 2023 | $189,000 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $35,560 |
| Prints & Editions | 2020 | $23,750 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $20,400 |

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 Mickalene Thomas worth?

Across 129 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Mickalene Thomas work is $23,750. The median Mickalene Thomas print sells for $6,930 across 37 lots. The median Mickalene Thomas painting sells for $201,600 across 40 lots. The median Mickalene Thomas photograph sells for $19,835 across 32 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Mickalene Thomas paintings typically sell for $166,425–$499,500 (the middle half of 27 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Mickalene Thomas print?

Based on 37 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Mickalene Thomas print is $6,930.

### What is Mickalene Thomas's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Mickalene Thomas print is $23,750.

### What is the average price of a Mickalene Thomas painting?

Based on 40 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Mickalene Thomas painting is $201,600.

### What is Mickalene Thomas's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Mickalene Thomas painting is $1,830,000.

### What is the average price of a Mickalene Thomas photograph?

Based on 32 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Mickalene Thomas photograph is $19,835.

### What is Mickalene Thomas's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Mickalene Thomas photograph is $504,000.

### What is the average price of a large Mickalene Thomas painting?

Based on 27 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Mickalene Thomas painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $346,542, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a medium Mickalene Thomas print?

Based on 15 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Mickalene Thomas print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $6,930, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Mickalene Thomas's auction record?

Mickalene Thomas's auction record is $1,830,000, set in 2021.

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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, “Mickalene Thomas auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/mickalene-thomas (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.