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

# Paul Cadmus (1904–1999)

## What is Paul Cadmus’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 517 auction results for Paul Cadmus at 24 houses since 1989. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,286 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,302–$4,204, n=66). The auction record is $2,430,000 for Lloyd and Barbara Wescott (2021, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lloyd and Barbara Wescott, 1942 | Tempera | $2,430,000 | Christie's | Nov 2021 |
| 2 | Mallorcan Fishermen, 1932 | Oil on canvas | $680,400 | Sotheby's | May 2022 |
| 3 | Seeing the New Year In, 1904 | Oil paint | $314,000 | Christie's | Nov 2001 |
| 4 | Notturno: Bologna | — | $277,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 5 | Venus and Adonis, 1936 | Oil on canvas on pressed wood board | $245,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2015 |
| 6 | The House That Jack Built, 1987 | Tempera | $149,000 | Christie's | May 2014 |
| 7 | A Shell, a Log and a Figure, 1941 | Tempera on gessoed board | $119,700 | Sotheby's | Nov 2022 |
| 8 | Study for "The Shower", 1942 | Pencil on paper | $94,500 | Sotheby's | May 2022 |
| 9 | Self Portrait, Mallorca, 1904 | Oil paint | $88,125 | Christie's | Nov 2001 |
| 10 | Two dancers #2, 1966 | Conte crayon on hand-toned paper | $75,000 | Christie's | Oct 2021 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 8 | $197,000 |
| Other | 33 | $6,000 |
| Photographs | 5 | $3,328 |
| Prints | 227 | $3,120 |
| Works on paper | 230 | $2,750 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 55 | $8,750 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 412 | $2,838 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 517 results from 24 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Paul Cadmus is an American artist with 551 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $3,750. 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 Paul Cadmus sold in 2026 for $4,864, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**2 Paul Cadmus works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

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

## What is a Paul Cadmus work worth?

Across 447 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Paul Cadmus work is $3,750.

The median Paul Cadmus work on paper sells for $2,840 across 240 lots.

The median Paul Cadmus print sells for $3,250 across 227 lots.

The median Paul Cadmus photograph sells for $2,602 across 10 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Paul Cadmus prints typically sell for $2,000–$5,000 (the middle half of 208 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Paul Cadmus work on papers typically sell for $650–$6,152 (the middle half of 196 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 | 250 | $3,250†‡ | $37,500 | 90.8% | 2026-10-29 |
| Paintings | 10 | $118,562 | $2.4M | — | 2022-05-18 |
| Works on Paper | 250 | $2,840† | $94,500 | 96% | 2026-10-15 |
| Photography | 11 | $2,602 | $5,670 | 90.9% | 2024-02-28 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 26 | $39,312 | $2.4M | — | 2026-09-17 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Paul Cadmus's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (250 lots) median $3,250 with 90.8% sell-through. Paintings (10 lots) median $118,562, record $2,430,000. A typical Paul Cadmus painting sells for around 36× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 26 lots) the median is $39,312.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 208 | $2,000–$5,000†‡ | $3,250†‡ | $37,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $2,560–$4,940† | $3,290† | $9,562 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $103,344–$296,750 | $197,000 | $2.4M |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 196 | $650–$6,152† | $2,268† | $94,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 38 | $5,500–$20,002 | $8,625 | $48,000 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $1,594–$4,025 | $2,602 | $5,670 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2021 | $2.4M |
| Paintings | 2022 | $680,400 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $94,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $75,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2008 | $37,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2007 | $37,000 |
| Photography | 2024 | $5,670 |
| Photography | 2024 | $5,040 |

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 Paul Cadmus worth?

Across 447 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Paul Cadmus work is $3,750. The median Paul Cadmus work on paper sells for $2,840 across 240 lots. The median Paul Cadmus print sells for $3,250 across 227 lots. The median Paul Cadmus photograph sells for $2,602 across 10 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Paul Cadmus prints typically sell for $2,000–$5,000 (the middle half of 208 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Paul Cadmus work on papers typically sell for $650–$6,152 (the middle half of 196 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 Paul Cadmus work on paper?

Based on 240 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Paul Cadmus work on paper is $2,840. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Paul Cadmus's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Paul Cadmus work on paper is $94,500.

### What is the average price of a Paul Cadmus print?

Based on 227 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Paul Cadmus print is $3,250. 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 Paul Cadmus's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Paul Cadmus print is $37,500.

### What is the average price of a Paul Cadmus photograph?

Based on 10 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Paul Cadmus photograph is $2,602.

### What is Paul Cadmus's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Paul Cadmus photograph is $5,670.

### What is the average price of a small Paul Cadmus print?

Based on 208 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Paul Cadmus print (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,250, 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 Paul Cadmus work on paper?

Based on 196 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Paul Cadmus work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,268, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Paul Cadmus's auction record?

Paul Cadmus's auction record is $2,430,000, 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, “Paul Cadmus auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/paul-cadmus (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.