> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/picasso-2 · updated 2026-11-02

# Picasso (1881–1973)

## What is Picasso’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 291 auction results for Picasso at 81 houses since 1991. Over the last 24 months the median price was $390 including buyer’s premium (middle half $49–$2,877, n=22). The auction record is $94,195 for Poésie de Mots Inconnus (2002, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 ans de céramique chez Madoura, 1966 | Two original drawings: one ink blue and thick red and green felt on the title page, and one green felt drawing on the fourth cover | $53,826 | Artcurial | Nov 2006 |
| 2 | Bacchante | Or 23 carats | $50,609 | Artcurial | Oct 2017 |
| 3 | LA MAIGRE, 1952 | In-2° (430 x 255) en feuilles sur Vieux Japon à la forme, sous couverture d'Arches, recouverte de parchemin remplié et illustré de la 1ère pointe-sèche sur le front et feuille de papier de type Madagascar imprimée du titre au front . Enveloppe de parchemin non coupé et leger cartonnage d'origine Feuillet d'Arches blanc en début et fin de volume 10 pointes-sèches dont la couverture et 9 in-texte | $45,250 | Artcurial | Jun 2007 |
| 4 | Lampe femme, 1955 | Vase tourné | $18,559 | Artcurial | May 2023 |
| 5 | Picasso dessins | Original drawing in blue ballpoint pen | $18,455 | Artcurial | Nov 2006 |
| 6 | TAUREAU VOLANT, 1961 | Stylo bille d'encre bleue | $11,534 | Artcurial | Nov 2006 |
| 7 | Ceramics by Picasso, 1948 | Printed paper, die-cut colorplates mounted to stiff paper | $10,880 | Rago Arts | Oct 2026 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poésie de Mots Inconnus, 1949 | Book with illustrations (burin, lithographies, woodcuts, etchings, etc.) | $94,195 | Christie's | May 2002 |
| 2 | Wood-owl with Feathers, 1951 | White earthenware clay vase with decoration in oxides and knife engraved on white enamel, painted in brown and black | $21,590 | Swann Auction Galleries | Mar 2026 |
| 3 | Wood-owl, 1969 | Turned white earthenware clay vase, with englobe decoration engraved by boring-rod under partial brushed glaze | $15,240 | Swann Auction Galleries | Sep 2025 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 11 | $1,376 |
| Prints | 33 | $940 |
| Works on paper | 8 | $538 |
| Other | 54 | $307 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 31 | $2,794 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 8 | $678 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 291 results from 81 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Picasso is a Spanish artist with 293 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $501. 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 Picasso sold in 2026 for a hammer price of $1,100 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**3 Picasso works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Picasso on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/picasso-2?ref=kg:picasso-2) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Picasso work worth?

Across 237 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Picasso work is $501.

The median Picasso print sells for $395 across 109 lots.

The median Picasso work on paper sells for $2,530 across 27 lots.

The median Picasso photograph sells for $185 across 10 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Picasso prints typically sell for $184–$3,117 (the middle half of 31 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Picasso prints typically sell for $91–$514 (the middle half of 30 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 | 130 | $395†‡ | $94,195 | 83.8% | 2026-10-13 |
| Paintings | 7 | $153†‡ | $6,876‡ | — | 2024-05-21 |
| Works on Paper | 28 | $2,530†‡ | $53,826 | 96.4% | 2025-07-01 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 4 | $639†‡ | $5,578 | — | 2026-05-28 |
| Photography | 11 | $185†‡ | $5,466‡ | 90.9% | 2026-03-12 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 15 | $21,590†‡ | $94,195 | — | 2026-03-12 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Picasso's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (130 lots) median $395 with 83.8% sell-through. Paintings (7 lots) median $153, record $6,876. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 15 lots) the median is $21,590.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 31 | $184–$3,117†‡ | $518†‡ | $94,195 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 30 | $91–$514†‡ | $182†‡ | $7,000‡ |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 16 | $165–$17,490‡ | $8,772‡ | $28,421‡ |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2002 | $94,195 |
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $53,826 |
| Prints & Editions | 2007 | $45,250 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $28,421‡ |
| Paintings | 2015 | $6,876‡ |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $5,578 |
| Photography | 2023 | $5,466‡ |
| Photography | 2025 | $4,798 |

‡ 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 Picasso worth?

Across 237 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Picasso work is $501. The median Picasso print sells for $395 across 109 lots. The median Picasso work on paper sells for $2,530 across 27 lots. The median Picasso photograph sells for $185 across 10 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Picasso prints typically sell for $184–$3,117 (the middle half of 31 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Picasso prints typically sell for $91–$514 (the middle half of 30 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 Picasso print?

Based on 109 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Picasso print is $395. 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 Picasso's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Picasso print is $94,195.

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

Based on 27 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Picasso work on paper is $2,530. 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 Picasso's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Picasso work on paper is $53,826.

### What is the average price of a Picasso photograph?

Based on 10 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Picasso photograph is $185. 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 Picasso's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Picasso photograph is $5,466. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a small Picasso print?

Based on 31 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Picasso print (small (under 50 cm)) is $518, 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 Picasso print?

Based on 30 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Picasso print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $182, 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 Picasso's auction record?

Picasso's auction record is $94,195, set in 2002.

---

Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Picasso auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/picasso-2 (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.