> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ricardo-martinez · updated 2026-11-03

# Ricardo Martínez (1918–2009)

## What is Ricardo Martínez’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 68 auction results for Ricardo Martínez at 8 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $34,290 including buyer’s premium (middle half $26,310–$62,994, n=10). The auction record is $162,500 for El gusto (2019, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El gusto, 1956 | Oil paint | $162,500 | Christie's | Nov 2019 |
| 2 | Desnudo, 1985 | Oil on canvas | $151,200 | Sotheby's | May 2021 |
| 3 | Elotes, 1957 | Oil paint | $118,750 | Christie's | May 2019 |
| 4 | Figura Yacente | Oil on canvas | $116,500 | Sotheby's | May 2011 |
| 5 | Mujer con palmas, 2000 | Oil paint | $100,000 | Christie's | May 2016 |
| 6 | Mujer con tres figuras, 1965 | Oil paint | $100,000 | Christie's | May 2019 |
| 7 | Maternidad, 1991 | Oil paint | $93,750 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 8 | Jardinero | Oil on canvas | $92,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2008 |
| 9 | Figure in Green, 1972 | Oil paint | $87,500 | Christie's | Nov 2016 |
| 10 | Mujer con palmas, 2001 | Oil paint | $87,500 | Christie's | Nov 2016 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 46 | $49,000 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 14 | $74,063 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 28 | $41,113 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 68 results from 8 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ricardo Martínez is a Mexican artist with 69 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $44,100. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Ricardo Martínez sold in 2026 for a hammer price of $57,656 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Ricardo Martínez work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-03).

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

## What is a Ricardo Martínez work worth?

Across 68 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ricardo Martínez work is $44,100.

The median Ricardo Martínez painting sells for $49,048 across 50 lots.

The median Ricardo Martínez work on paper sells for $1,157 across 8 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Ricardo Martínez paintings typically sell for $35,655–$56,250 (the middle half of 33 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 50 | $49,048† | $162,500 | — | 2026-05-29 |
| Works on Paper | 8 | $1,157† | $5,000 | — | 2025-09-25 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $117,625 | $162,500 | — | 2021-05-14 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 33 | $35,655–$56,250† | $44,100† | $162,500 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 15 | $57,178–$93,498† | $70,125† | $118,750 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $1,083–$1,659† | $1,157† | $5,000 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2019 | $162,500 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $151,200 |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $5,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $2,572† |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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 Ricardo Martínez worth?

Across 68 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ricardo Martínez work is $44,100. The median Ricardo Martínez painting sells for $49,048 across 50 lots. The median Ricardo Martínez work on paper sells for $1,157 across 8 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Ricardo Martínez paintings typically sell for $35,655–$56,250 (the middle half of 33 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Ricardo Martínez painting?

Based on 50 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ricardo Martínez painting is $49,048. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Ricardo Martínez's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ricardo Martínez painting is $162,500.

### What is the average price of a medium Ricardo Martínez painting?

Based on 33 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ricardo Martínez painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $44,100, 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 large Ricardo Martínez painting?

Based on 15 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Ricardo Martínez painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $70,125, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Ricardo Martínez's auction record?

Ricardo Martínez's auction record is $162,500, set in 2019.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Ricardo Martínez auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ricardo-martinez (updated 2026-11-03).

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.