> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/r-b-kitaj · updated 2026-11-02

# KITAJ, R.B. (1932–2007)

## What is KITAJ, R.B.’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 76 auction results for KITAJ, R.B. at 18 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,080 including buyer’s premium (middle half $501–$15,736, n=22). The auction record is $671,673 for Clerk's Dream (2024, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clerk's Dream, 1972 | Oil paint | $671,673 | Christie's | Mar 2024 |
| 2 | The Sensualist, 1932 | Oil paint | $248,051 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 3 | Tarot Variations | Oil on canvas | $246,320 | Sotheby's | Dec 2010 |
| 4 | Los Angeles No. 1, 1932 | Oil paint | $108,157 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 5 | Annabel, 1979 | Charcoal | $94,512 | Christie's | Jul 2021 |
| 6 | Swirling Hamlet, 1985 | Oil paint | $78,206 | Christie's | Jun 2019 |
| 7 | Germania (Vienna), 1987 | Oil paint | $76,233 | Christie's | Oct 2025 |
| 8 | Paris, 1993 | Oil paint | $67,763 | Christie's | Oct 2025 |
| 9 | Bather (Wading) | Pastel on paper | $62,959 | Sotheby's | Feb 2008 |
| 10 | Tonight the Ballet, 1975 | Pastel on grey paper | $49,239 | Christie's | Jan 2020 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 23 | $27,024 |
| Works on paper | 11 | $11,858 |
| Prints | 28 | $432 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $67,763 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $3,767 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 38 | $1,217 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 76 results from 18 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


KITAJ, R.B. is an American artist with 119 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $1,526. 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 KITAJ, R.B. sold in 2026 for $8,240, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a KITAJ, R.B. work worth?

Across 76 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a KITAJ, R.B. work is $1,526.

The median KITAJ, R.B. print sells for $387 across 34 lots.

The median KITAJ, R.B. painting sells for $39,143 across 21 lots.

The median KITAJ, R.B. work on paper sells for $9,103 across 12 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) KITAJ, R.B. prints typically sell for $157–$997 (the middle half of 28 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 | 38 | $387†‡ | $4,000 | 89.5% | 2026-02-26 |
| Paintings | 24 | $39,143 | $671,673 | 87.5% | 2026-07-29 |
| Works on Paper | 14 | $9,103 | $94,512 | 85.7% | 2025-10-23 |
| Photography | 1 | $91 | $91 | — | 2020-05-28 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $247,185 | $671,673 | — | 2024-03-20 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

KITAJ, R.B.'s market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (38 lots) median $387 with 89.5% sell-through. Paintings (24 lots) median $39,143, record $671,673. A typical KITAJ, R.B. painting sells for around 101× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 4 lots) the median is $247,185.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $157–$368 | $157 | $425 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 28 | $157–$997†‡ | $424†‡ | $4,000 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $4,064–$4,864 | $4,080 | $12,634 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $23,631–$42,814 | $33,084 | $246,320 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $47,500–$108,157 | $76,233 | $671,673 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $3,735–$34,918 | $10,000 | $94,512 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2024 | $671,673 |
| Paintings | 2017 | $248,051 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $94,512 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $49,239 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $4,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $1,613 |
| Photography | 2020 | $91 |

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 KITAJ, R.B. worth?

Across 76 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a KITAJ, R.B. work is $1,526. The median KITAJ, R.B. print sells for $387 across 34 lots. The median KITAJ, R.B. painting sells for $39,143 across 21 lots. The median KITAJ, R.B. work on paper sells for $9,103 across 12 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) KITAJ, R.B. prints typically sell for $157–$997 (the middle half of 28 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 KITAJ, R.B. print?

Based on 34 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a KITAJ, R.B. print is $387. 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 KITAJ, R.B.'s most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a KITAJ, R.B. print is $4,000.

### What is the average price of a KITAJ, R.B. painting?

Based on 21 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a KITAJ, R.B. painting is $39,143.

### What is KITAJ, R.B.'s most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a KITAJ, R.B. painting is $671,673.

### What is the average price of a KITAJ, R.B. work on paper?

Based on 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a KITAJ, R.B. work on paper is $9,103.

### What is KITAJ, R.B.'s most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a KITAJ, R.B. work on paper is $94,512.

### What is the average price of a medium KITAJ, R.B. print?

Based on 28 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium KITAJ, R.B. print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $424, 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 KITAJ, R.B.'s auction record?

KITAJ, R.B.'s auction record is $671,673, set in 2024.

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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, “KITAJ, R.B. auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/r-b-kitaj (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.