Philip Pearlstein (1924–2022)
What is Philip Pearlstein’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 276 auction results for Philip Pearlstein at 45 houses since 1991. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,303 including buyer’s premium (middle half $492–$21,615, n=40). The auction record is $170,500 for Model with Empire State Building (2010, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Model with Empire State Building | Oil on canvas | $170,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2010 |
| 2 | Nude on Kilim Rug, 1969 | Oil paint | $165,100 | Sotheby's | Nov 2025 |
| 3 | Models in the Studio, 1966 | Oil on canvas | $127,000 | Sotheby's | Jul 2023 |
| 4 | Model with Empire State Building, 1992 | Oil paint | $125,000 | Phillips | May 2019 |
| 5 | Two Female Models with Cast Iron Bench | Oil on canvas | $109,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 6 | Model Seated on Chair | — | $97,000 | Sotheby's | Sep 2007 |
| 7 | Nude with Outstretched Arms, Green Sofa, 1971 | Painting | $94,500 | Rago Arts | May 2023 |
| 8 | Two Models With Mannequin | Oil on canvas, unframed | $91,000 | Sotheby's | Sep 2007 |
| 9 | Two Female Nudes on Oriental Rug, 1971 | Oil on canvas | $87,500 | Christie's | Jul 2021 |
| 10 | Two Female Nudes on Oriental Rug, 1971 | Oil on canvas | $87,500 | Christie's | Dec 2005 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 43 | $53,125 |
| Works on paper | 42 | $4,420 |
| Other | 23 | $900 |
| Prints | 124 | $753 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 37 | $52,500 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 145 | $990 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 21 | $704 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 276 results from 45 houses · How we compute these figures
Philip Pearlstein is an American artist with 339 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $1,114. 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 Philip Pearlstein sold in 2026 for $40,960, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Philip Pearlstein record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Philip Pearlstein on OpeningBid →What is a Philip Pearlstein work worth?
Across 266 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Philip Pearlstein work is $1,114.
The median Philip Pearlstein print sells for $695 across 150 lots.
The median Philip Pearlstein work on paper sells for $3,431 across 48 lots.
The median Philip Pearlstein painting sells for $51,935 across 38 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Philip Pearlstein prints typically sell for $384–$1,125 (the middle half of 117 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Philip Pearlstein work on papers typically sell for $2,148–$10,469 (the middle half of 34 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 | 177 | $695†‡ | $4,080 | 84.7% | 2026-07-07 |
| Paintings | 41 | $51,935‡ | $170,500 | 92.7% | 2026-10-08 |
| Works on Paper | 55 | $3,431†‡ | $33,750 | 87.3% | 2026-09-21 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 14 | $92,750 | $170,500 | — | 2025-11-19 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Philip Pearlstein's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (177 lots) median $695 with 84.7% sell-through. Paintings (41 lots) median $51,935, record $170,500. A typical Philip Pearlstein painting sells for around 75× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 14 lots) the median is $92,750.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $314–$622† | $484† | $1,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 117 | $384–$1,125†‡ | $700†‡ | $4,080 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $970–$1,322 | $1,080 | $1,690 |
† 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) | 8 | $15,644–$45,875 | $30,500 | $56,250 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 28 | $50,300–$76,750‡ | $62,500‡ | $170,500 |
‡ 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) | 11 | $1,188–$1,962† | $1,645† | $6,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 34 | $2,148–$10,469†‡ | $4,420†‡ | $32,760 |
† 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 | 2010 | $170,500 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $165,100 |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $33,750 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $32,760 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $4,080 |
| Prints & Editions | 2006 | $3,000 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Philip Pearlstein worth?
Across 266 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Philip Pearlstein work is $1,114. The median Philip Pearlstein print sells for $695 across 150 lots. The median Philip Pearlstein work on paper sells for $3,431 across 48 lots. The median Philip Pearlstein painting sells for $51,935 across 38 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Philip Pearlstein prints typically sell for $384–$1,125 (the middle half of 117 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Philip Pearlstein work on papers typically sell for $2,148–$10,469 (the middle half of 34 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 Philip Pearlstein print?
Based on 150 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Philip Pearlstein print is $695. 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 Philip Pearlstein's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Philip Pearlstein print is $4,080.
What is the average price of a Philip Pearlstein work on paper?
Based on 48 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Philip Pearlstein work on paper is $3,431. 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 Philip Pearlstein's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Philip Pearlstein work on paper is $33,750.
What is the average price of a Philip Pearlstein painting?
Based on 38 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Philip Pearlstein painting is $51,935. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Philip Pearlstein's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Philip Pearlstein painting is $170,500.
What is the average price of a medium Philip Pearlstein print?
Based on 117 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Philip Pearlstein print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $700, 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 medium Philip Pearlstein work on paper?
Based on 34 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Philip Pearlstein work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,420, 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 Philip Pearlstein's auction record?
Philip Pearlstein's auction record is $170,500, set in 2010.
See the full Philip Pearlstein record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Philip Pearlstein on OpeningBid →