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

# On Kawara (1932–2014)

## What is On Kawara’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 204 auction results for On Kawara at 23 houses since 1990. Over the last 24 months the median price was $439,799 including buyer’s premium (middle half $126,835–$547,567, n=16). The auction record is $4,197,000 for May 1, 1987 (2014, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 1, 1987, 1933 | Acrylic paint | $4,197,000 | Christie's | May 2014 |
| 2 | OCT. 27, 1982 ("Wednesday."), 1982 | Acrylic paint | $3,800,000 | Christie's | Nov 2022 |
| 3 | May 1, 1987, 1933 | Painting | $1,832,000 | Christie's | May 2007 |
| 4 | Four Decades, 1970 | Liquitex on canvas in handmade cardboard box with newspaper clippings, in 4 parts | $1,565,000 | Phillips | May 2016 |
| 5 | Untitled (Five Decades), 1968-2000 | Painting | $1,496,000 | Christie's | May 2007 |
| 6 | MAY 7, 1967, 1967 | Acryl auf Leinwand, mit beiliegender Zeitung "The New York Times" von Sonntag, den 7. Mai 1967, in originalem Karton | $1,210,915 | Van Ham Kunstauktionen | Oct 2024 |
| 7 | NOV. 27, 1984, 1984 | Cardboard | $1,042,339 | Bonhams | Nov 2025 |
| 8 | JAN. 12, 1978, 1978 | Acrylic paint | $845,000 | Christie's | May 2015 |
| 9 | MAY 29, 1972, from Today, 1966–2013, 1972 | Acrylic paint | $819,000 | Christie's | May 2022 |
| 10 | 21 JUL. 1989, from Today series, 1966–2013, 1989 | Acrylic paint | $781,200 | Christie's | Nov 2022 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 53 | $456,000 |
| Other | 49 | $14,077 |
| Works on paper | 19 | $9,801 |
| Prints | 6 | $1,867 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $1,832,000 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 14 | $602,400 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 102 | $57,296 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 204 results from 23 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


On Kawara is a Japanese artist with 227 auction lots recorded since 1990, median price $15,285. 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 On Kawara sold in 2026 for $33,020, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

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

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

## What is a On Kawara work worth?

Across 204 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a On Kawara work is $15,285.

The median On Kawara painting sells for $423,114 across 54 lots.

The median On Kawara print sells for $2,199 across 20 lots.

The median On Kawara work on paper sells for $8,032 across 15 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) On Kawara paintings typically sell for $302,206–$465,443 (the middle half of 42 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 | 26 | $2,199†‡ | $19,360 | 76.9% | 2024-10-10 |
| Paintings | 54 | $423,114†‡ | $4.2M | — | 2026-06-10 |
| Works on Paper | 17 | $8,032†‡ | $199,168 | 88.2% | 2024-06-05 |
| Photography | 2 | $33,416‡ | $63,818 | — | 2017-03-10 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 72 | $422,630†‡ | $4.2M | — | 2026-06-10 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

On Kawara's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (26 lots) median $2,199 with 76.9% sell-through. Paintings (54 lots) median $423,114, record $4,197,000. A typical On Kawara painting sells for around 192× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 72 lots) the median is $422,630.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $2,267–$5,349†‡ | $2,469†‡ | $17,026 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $1,469–$19,236‡ | $16,144‡ | $19,360 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 42 | $302,206–$465,443†‡ | $387,506†‡ | $1.6M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $604,800–$781,200 | $652,474 | $1M |

† 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) | 15 | $5,539–$15,234†‡ | $8,032†‡ | $199,168 |

† 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 | 2014 | $4.2M |
| Paintings | 2022 | $3.8M |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $199,168 |
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $68,165‡ |
| Photography | 2017 | $63,818 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $19,360 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $19,236‡ |
| Photography | 2008 | $3,014‡ |

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

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 On Kawara worth?

Across 204 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a On Kawara work is $15,285. The median On Kawara painting sells for $423,114 across 54 lots. The median On Kawara print sells for $2,199 across 20 lots. The median On Kawara work on paper sells for $8,032 across 15 lots. Small (under 50 cm) On Kawara paintings typically sell for $302,206–$465,443 (the middle half of 42 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 On Kawara painting?

Based on 54 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a On Kawara painting is $423,114. 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 On Kawara's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a On Kawara painting is $4,197,000.

### What is the average price of a On Kawara print?

Based on 20 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a On Kawara print is $2,199. 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 On Kawara's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a On Kawara print is $19,360.

### What is the average price of a On Kawara work on paper?

Based on 15 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a On Kawara work on paper is $8,032. 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 On Kawara's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a On Kawara work on paper is $199,168.

### What is the average price of a small On Kawara painting?

Based on 42 sold lots, the median auction price of a small On Kawara painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $387,506, 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 On Kawara work on paper?

Based on 15 sold lots, the median auction price of a small On Kawara work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $8,032, 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 On Kawara's auction record?

On Kawara's auction record is $4,197,000, 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, “On Kawara auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/on-kawara (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.