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

# Philip Pearlstein (1924–2022)

## What is Philip Pearlstein’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 43 | $53,125 |
| Works on paper | 42 | $4,420 |
| Other | 23 | $900 |
| Prints | 124 | $753 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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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, “Philip Pearlstein auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/philip-pearlstein (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.