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

# Paul McCarthy (b. 1945)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 155 auction results for Paul McCarthy at 24 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,188 including buyer’s premium (middle half $637–$18,130, n=18). The auction record is $2,210,500 for Michael Jackson Fucked Up (Big Head) (2008, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Jackson Fucked Up (Big Head), 2002 | Bronze | $2,210,500 | Christie's | Nov 2008 |
| 2 | Alpine Man, 1992 | Kinetic sculpture, wood barrel, latex, glass eyes and clothing | $1,202,571 | Christie's | Feb 2010 |
| 3 | Chocolate Silicone Blockhead | Silicone | $842,500 | Sotheby's | May 2011 |
| 4 | White Snow Dwarf (Sleepy) | Silicone | $777,715 | Sotheby's | Oct 2013 |
| 5 | Pot Head | — | $505,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 6 | Mechanical Pig, 2003-2005 | Vanadium | $486,993 | Christie's | Jun 2016 |
| 7 | Chocolate Silicone Blockhead, 1999-2000 | Cast silicone | $441,600 | Christie's | May 2006 |
| 8 | Untitled (from the Propo Series) | — | $417,421 | Sotheby's | Oct 2007 |
| 9 | White Snow Dwarf (Doc), 2010 | Red silicone | $403,200 | Phillips | Jun 2021 |
| 10 | Santa with Butt Plug, 2002 | Bronze | $352,800 | Christie's | Nov 2023 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 43 | $49,020 |
| Other | 45 | $13,703 |
| Photographs | 12 | $13,202 |
| Works on paper | 20 | $6,560 |
| Prints | 11 | $768 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 45 | $29,382 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 47 | $8,059 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 29 | $1,250 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 155 results from 24 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Paul McCarthy is an American artist with 223 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $10,080. 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 McCarthy sold in 2026 for $18,733, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Paul McCarthy work worth?

Across 154 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Paul McCarthy work is $10,080.

The median Paul McCarthy sculpture sells for $26,290 across 54 lots.

The median Paul McCarthy print sells for $970 across 26 lots.

The median Paul McCarthy photograph sells for $13,279 across 19 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Paul McCarthy sculptures typically sell for $14,676–$270,075 (the middle half of 20 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 | 32 | $970†‡ | $96,000 | 81.3% | 2026-08-28 |
| Paintings | 2 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Works on Paper | 28 | $7,896‡ | $211,516 | 67.9% | 2026-03-03 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 63 | $26,290†‡ | $2.2M | 85.7% | 2026-01-23 |
| Photography | 30 | $13,279†‡ | $35,957 | 63.3% | 2026-03-11 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 25 | $211,516 | $2.2M | — | 2024-10-19 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $274–$975†‡ | $768†‡ | $1,638 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $756–$1,912‡ | $960‡ | $10,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $13,434–$62,500 | $37,500 | $96,000 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 13 | $5,441–$7,896‡ | $6,250‡ | $17,720 |

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

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 16 | $1,824–$19,730†‡ | $9,490†‡ | $68,750 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 13 | $40,649–$179,075† | $75,000† | $842,500 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 20 | $14,676–$270,075‡ | $50,075‡ | $2.2M |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $4,502–$23,144 | $20,151 | $25,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $13,124–$22,088† | $16,482† | $35,957 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2008 | $2.2M |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2011 | $842,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $211,516 |
| Works on Paper | 2005 | $156,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2006 | $96,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $62,500 |
| Photography | 2017 | $35,957 |
| Photography | 2018 | $29,382 |

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 McCarthy worth?

Across 154 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Paul McCarthy work is $10,080. The median Paul McCarthy sculpture sells for $26,290 across 54 lots. The median Paul McCarthy print sells for $970 across 26 lots. The median Paul McCarthy photograph sells for $13,279 across 19 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Paul McCarthy sculptures typically sell for $14,676–$270,075 (the middle half of 20 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 McCarthy sculpture?

Based on 54 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Paul McCarthy sculpture is $26,290. 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 McCarthy's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Paul McCarthy sculpture is $2,210,500.

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

Based on 26 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Paul McCarthy print is $970. 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 McCarthy's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Paul McCarthy print is $96,000.

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

Based on 19 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Paul McCarthy photograph is $13,279. 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 McCarthy's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Paul McCarthy photograph is $35,957.

### What is the average price of a large Paul McCarthy sculpture?

Based on 20 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Paul McCarthy sculpture (large (over 120 cm)) is $50,075, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a small Paul McCarthy sculpture?

Based on 16 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Paul McCarthy sculpture (small (under 50 cm)) is $9,490, 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 Paul McCarthy's auction record?

Paul McCarthy's auction record is $2,210,500, set in 2008.

---

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 McCarthy auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/paul-mccarthy (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.