R. B. Kitaj (1932–2007)
What is R. B. Kitaj’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 109 auction results for R. B. Kitaj at 12 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $16,890 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,351–$25,576, n=5). The auction record is $573,991 for Greenwich Village (2007, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greenwich Village, 1990-93 | Oil paint | $573,991 | Christie's | Jun 2007 |
| 2 | Malta (for Chris & Rose), 1974 | Oil paint | $270,978 | Christie's | Mar 2026 |
| 3 | The Bells of Hell | Oil on canvas | $179,733 | Sotheby's | Jun 2007 |
| 4 | Vibration, 1964 | Collage | $153,139 | Christie's | Oct 2019 |
| 5 | Marynka on her Stomach, 1979 | Charcoal | $141,315 | Christie's | Jul 2008 |
| 6 | Thus to revisit, 1974 | Charcoal | $110,503 | Christie's | Dec 2012 |
| 7 | Unity Mitford, 1968 | Oil paint | $98,232 | Christie's | Jul 2008 |
| 8 | The Room (Rue St Denis) | Oil on canvas | $95,857 | Sotheby's | Jun 2007 |
| 9 | Lovers, 2000-2001 | Oil paint | $95,008 | Christie's | Jun 2013 |
| 10 | Head of Francis Bacon, 1968 | Oil paint | $92,165 | Christie's | Jul 2013 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 36 | $33,128 |
| Works on paper | 14 | $17,577 |
| Other | 6 | $10,393 |
| Prints | 49 | $750 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 13 | $72,968 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 26 | $9,454 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 62 | $1,170 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 109 results from 12 houses · How we compute these figures
R. B. Kitaj is an American artist with 132 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $2,185. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.
A work by R. B. Kitaj sold in 2026 for $16,890, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full R. B. Kitaj record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View R. B. Kitaj on OpeningBid →What is a R. B. Kitaj work worth?
Across 109 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a R. B. Kitaj work is $2,185.
The median R. B. Kitaj print sells for $698 across 54 lots.
The median R. B. Kitaj painting sells for $20,510 across 28 lots.
The median R. B. Kitaj work on paper sells for $20,179 across 15 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) R. B. Kitaj prints typically sell for $379–$1,188 (the middle half of 46 sold lots).
Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 64 | $698† | $4,688 | 84.4% | 2026-10-29 |
| Paintings | 29 | $20,510 | $573,991 | 96.6% | 2026-03-19 |
| Works on Paper | 19 | $20,179 | $141,315 | 78.9% | 2026-03-19 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $1,512 | $1,512 | — | 2013-07-11 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $166,436 | $573,991 | — | 2026-03-06 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
R. B. Kitaj's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (64 lots) median $698 with 84.4% sell-through. Paintings (29 lots) median $20,510, record $573,991. A typical R. B. Kitaj painting sells for around 29× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 6 lots) the median is $166,436.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $294–$591† | $403† | $660 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 46 | $379–$1,188† | $798† | $4,688 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 15 | $6,494–$14,695 | $11,337 | $98,232 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $13,937–$25,576 | $24,131 | $46,548 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 8 | $52,280–$78,478 | $65,949 | $573,991 |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 13 | $14,196–$57,581 | $20,179 | $141,315 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2007 | $573,991 |
| Works on Paper | 2008 | $141,315 |
| Works on Paper | 2012 | $110,503 |
| Paintings | 2008 | $98,232 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $4,688 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $4,032 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2013 | $1,512 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a R. B. Kitaj worth?
Across 109 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a R. B. Kitaj work is $2,185. The median R. B. Kitaj print sells for $698 across 54 lots. The median R. B. Kitaj painting sells for $20,510 across 28 lots. The median R. B. Kitaj work on paper sells for $20,179 across 15 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) R. B. Kitaj prints typically sell for $379–$1,188 (the middle half of 46 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a R. B. Kitaj print?
Based on 54 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a R. B. Kitaj print is $698. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is R. B. Kitaj's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a R. B. Kitaj print is $4,688.
What is the average price of a R. B. Kitaj painting?
Based on 28 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a R. B. Kitaj painting is $20,510.
What is R. B. Kitaj's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a R. B. Kitaj painting is $573,991.
What is the average price of a R. B. Kitaj work on paper?
Based on 15 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a R. B. Kitaj work on paper is $20,179.
What is R. B. Kitaj's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a R. B. Kitaj work on paper is $141,315.
What is the average price of a medium R. B. Kitaj print?
Based on 46 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium R. B. Kitaj print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $798, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a small R. B. Kitaj painting?
Based on 15 sold lots, the median auction price of a small R. B. Kitaj painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $11,337, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is R. B. Kitaj's auction record?
R. B. Kitaj's auction record is $573,991, set in 2007.
See the full R. B. Kitaj record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View R. B. Kitaj on OpeningBid →