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

# R. B. Kitaj (1932–2007)

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

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 36 | $33,128 |
| Works on paper | 14 | $17,577 |
| Other | 6 | $10,393 |
| Prints | 49 | $750 |

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

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


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.

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

## 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.

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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, “R. B. Kitaj 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.