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

# Norah McGuiness (1901–1980)

## What is Norah McGuiness’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 177 auction results for Norah McGuiness at 4 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $5,290 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,731–$7,935, n=7). The auction record is $55,279 for A Field of Maize (2007, James Adam Salesrooms). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Field of Maize | Oil on canvas | $55,279 | James Adam Salesrooms | Dec 2007 |
| 2 | Above the Bay | Oil on canvas | $52,871 | James Adam Salesrooms | Nov 2017 |
| 3 | Waterweeds, 1968 | Oil on canvas | $52,608 | James Adam Salesrooms | Sep 2022 |
| 4 | The First Sheaf | Oil on canvas | $50,882 | James Adam Salesrooms | May 2008 |
| 5 | Poolbeg, 1965 | Oil on canvas | $47,908 | James Adam Salesrooms | Dec 2007 |
| 6 | Fishing in the West | Oil on canvas | $43,686 | James Adam Salesrooms | Dec 2011 |
| 7 | The Red Tractor | Oil on canvas | $43,352 | James Adam Salesrooms | Nov 2010 |
| 8 | The Startled Bird, 1961 | Oil on canvas | $40,475 | James Adam Salesrooms | May 2013 |
| 9 | Dublin Docks, 1965 | Oil on canvas | $39,447 | James Adam Salesrooms | Dec 2008 |
| 10 | Barley Moon, circa 1965 | Oil on canvas | $38,583 | James Adam Salesrooms | May 2007 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 79 | $16,160 |
| Works on paper | 69 | $3,527 |
| Other | 9 | $867 |
| Prints | 6 | $577 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 100 | $11,314 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 58 | $2,757 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 177 results from 4 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Norah McGuiness is an Irish artist with 218 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $5,914. 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 Norah McGuiness sold in 2025 for $10,853, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Norah McGuiness work worth?

Across 174 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Norah McGuiness work is $5,914.

The median Norah McGuiness painting sells for $14,690 across 90 lots.

The median Norah McGuiness work on paper sells for $3,302 across 74 lots.

The median Norah McGuiness print sells for $516 across 8 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Norah McGuiness paintings typically sell for $9,932–$30,814 (the middle half of 76 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Norah McGuiness work on papers typically sell for $1,154–$4,819 (the middle half of 48 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 | 10 | $516 | $1,041 | 80% | 2019-04-16 |
| Paintings | 112 | $14,690†‡ | $291,573† | 80.4% | 2025-09-24 |
| Works on Paper | 92 | $3,302†‡ | $33,167 | 80.4% | 2025-11-26 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 9 | $50,882† | $291,573† | — | 2022-09-28 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Norah McGuiness's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (10 lots) median $516 with 80% sell-through. Paintings (112 lots) median $14,690, record $291,573. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $291,573 (buyer's premium not included). A typical Norah McGuiness painting sells for around 28× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 9 lots) the median is $50,882.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $275–$658 | $516 | $1,041 |

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $4,974–$9,787† | $5,870† | $12,749 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 76 | $9,932–$30,814†‡ | $17,034†‡ | $291,573† |

† 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) | 48 | $1,154–$4,819† | $2,640† | $12,447 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 25 | $4,063–$8,806†‡ | $5,402†‡ | $33,167 |

† 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 | 2001 | $291,573† |
| Paintings | 2007 | $55,279 |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $33,167 |
| Works on Paper | 2002 | $17,099 |
| Prints & Editions | 2008 | $1,041 |
| Prints & Editions | 2008 | $892 |

† 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 Norah McGuiness worth?

Across 174 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Norah McGuiness work is $5,914. The median Norah McGuiness painting sells for $14,690 across 90 lots. The median Norah McGuiness work on paper sells for $3,302 across 74 lots. The median Norah McGuiness print sells for $516 across 8 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Norah McGuiness paintings typically sell for $9,932–$30,814 (the middle half of 76 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Norah McGuiness work on papers typically sell for $1,154–$4,819 (the middle half of 48 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 Norah McGuiness painting?

Based on 90 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Norah McGuiness painting is $14,690. 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 Norah McGuiness's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Norah McGuiness painting is $291,573. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $291,573 (buyer's premium not included).

### What is the average price of a Norah McGuiness work on paper?

Based on 74 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Norah McGuiness work on paper is $3,302. 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 Norah McGuiness's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Norah McGuiness work on paper is $33,167.

### What is the average price of a medium Norah McGuiness painting?

Based on 76 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Norah McGuiness painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $17,034, 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 Norah McGuiness work on paper?

Based on 48 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Norah McGuiness work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,640, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Norah McGuiness's auction record?

Norah McGuiness's auction record is $291,573, set in 2001. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $291,573 (buyer's premium not included).

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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, “Norah McGuiness auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/norah-mcguiness (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.
