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

# Ray Swanson (b. 1880)

## What is Ray Swanson’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 65 auction results for Ray Swanson at 10 houses since 2005. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,815 including buyer’s premium (middle half $635–$3,933, n=17). The auction record is $97,000 for Headin' Through Dry Country (2008, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headin' Through Dry Country | — | $97,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 2 | Prayer for Their Vanishing Herds | Oil on canvas | $87,750 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2014 |
| 3 | Bustin' for Beans, Biskets and Beef | — | $55,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 4 | Mother's Precious Children | Oil on canvas | $53,200 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2007 |
| 5 | Navajo Pride and Joy | Oil on canvas | $53,200 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2005 |
| 6 | From the Anasazi, 2002 | Oil on canvas | $32,175 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2013 |
| 7 | Playing at the Corral | — | $27,000 | Sotheby's | Mar 2007 |
| 8 | Prayer for Their Vanishing Herd, 2001 | Oil on canvas | $26,775 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2019 |
| 9 | Navajo Riders, 1977 | Oil on board | $25,200 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2006 |
| 10 | Old Man Jack Tells Coyote Tales, 1979 | Oil on canvas | $24,000 | Sotheby's | Jan 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 8 | $11,700 |
| Paintings | 41 | $7,500 |
| Works on paper | 6 | $649 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 35 | $7,140 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 11 | $6,048 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 65 results from 10 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ray Swanson is an American artist with 73 auction lots recorded since 2005, median price $7,140. 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 Ray Swanson sold in 2025 for $13,310, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

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

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

## What is a Ray Swanson work worth?

Across 56 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ray Swanson work is $7,140.

The median Ray Swanson painting sells for $7,020 across 39 lots.

The median Ray Swanson work on paper sells for $486 across 5 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Ray Swanson paintings typically sell for $3,933–$14,400 (the middle half of 26 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 48 | $7,020†‡ | $53,200 | 81.3% | 2026-07-25 |
| Works on Paper | 6 | $486 | $1,980 | 83.3% | 2026-03-11 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $55,000 | $97,000 | — | 2014-07-26 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 26 | $3,933–$14,400‡ | $7,140‡ | $53,200 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 10 | $1,800–$7,137†‡ | $4,125†‡ | $13,750 |

† 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 | 2005 | $53,200 |
| Paintings | 2013 | $32,175 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $1,980 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $1,331 |

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 Ray Swanson worth?

Across 56 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ray Swanson work is $7,140. The median Ray Swanson painting sells for $7,020 across 39 lots. The median Ray Swanson work on paper sells for $486 across 5 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Ray Swanson paintings typically sell for $3,933–$14,400 (the middle half of 26 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 Ray Swanson painting?

Based on 39 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ray Swanson painting is $7,020. 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 Ray Swanson's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ray Swanson painting is $53,200.

### What is the average price of a small Ray Swanson painting?

Based on 26 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ray Swanson painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $7,140, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a medium Ray Swanson painting?

Based on 10 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ray Swanson painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,125, 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 Ray Swanson's auction record?

Ray Swanson's auction record is $97,000, set in 2008.

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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, “Ray Swanson auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ray-swanson (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.