Richard Avedon (1923–2004)
What is Richard Avedon’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 680 auction results for Richard Avedon at 57 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $7,740 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,739–$60,649, n=72). The auction record is $1,149,983 for Dovima with elephants, Evening dress by Dior, Cirque d'Hiver, Paris, August 1955 (2010, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dovima with elephants, Evening dress by Dior, Cirque d'Hiver, Paris, August 1955, 1923 | Signé au crayon, cachets de copyright du photographe, 'Tous droits réservés', titre et date (au dos du montage); cachets de copyright du photographe, reproduction limitée et de l'exposition du Dallas Museum of Art (au dos du cadre) | $1,149,983 | Christie's | Nov 2010 |
| 2 | The Beatles, London, August 11, 1967, 1990 | Photographed in 1967 and printed in 1990, this portfolio is artist’s proof number one from an edition of six, plus three artist’s proofs | $1,021,061 | Christie's | Oct 2021 |
| 3 | The Beatles Portfolio: John Lennon, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and Paul McCartney, London, 1990 | Four dye transfer prints, printed 1990 | $962,466 | Phillips | Nov 2022 |
| 4 | Marilyn Monroe, Actress, New York City, 1957, 1923 | Cartes-de-visite | $882,000 | Christie's | May 2024 |
| 5 | The Beatles Portfolio, London, England, 8-11-67, 1990 | 4 dye-transfer prints | $608,493 | Christie's | Nov 2010 |
| 6 | Marilyn Monroe, New York City, May 6, 1957, 1980 | Cartes-de-visite | $482,500 | Christie's | Apr 2011 |
| 7 | marilyn monroe, may 6, 1957, new york city | — | $457,000 | Sotheby's | Apr 2008 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dovima with Elephants, Evening Dress by Dior, Cirque d'Hiver, Paris, 1955, 1979 | Cartes-de-visite | $615,000 | Christie's | Apr 2019 |
| 2 | Juan Patricio Lobato, Carney, Rocky Ford, Colorado, August 23, 1980, 1980 | Gelatin silver print | $609,600 | Sotheby's | Nov 2025 |
| 3 | Dovima with Elephants, Evening Dress by Dior, Cirque d'Hiver, Paris, 1955, 1979 | Cartes-de-visite | $456,500 | Christie's | Apr 2018 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 513 | $23,930 |
| Other | 51 | $1,600 |
| Prints | 42 | $913 |
| Works on paper | 5 | $572 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 41 | $151,200 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 171 | $36,000 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 329 | $13,970 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 680 results from 57 houses · How we compute these figures
Richard Avedon is an American artist with 866 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $16,273. 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 Richard Avedon sold in 2026 for $90,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
1 Richard Avedon work is coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Richard Avedon free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Richard Avedon record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Richard Avedon on OpeningBid →What is a Richard Avedon work worth?
Across 669 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Richard Avedon work is $16,273.
The median Richard Avedon photograph sells for $20,225 across 556 lots.
The median Richard Avedon print sells for $1,495 across 74 lots.
The median Richard Avedon sculpture sells for $80,130 across 7 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Richard Avedon photographs typically sell for $6,250–$41,328 (the middle half of 317 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Richard Avedon photographs typically sell for $22,561–$89,904 (the middle half of 135 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 | 85 | $1,495†‡ | $608,493 | 87.1% | 2026-10-21 |
| Paintings | 2 | $217,544 | $411,587 | — | 2010-11-20 |
| Works on Paper | 3 | $20,000 | $40,834 | — | 2018-08-01 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 8 | $80,130 | $165,455 | 87.5% | 2015-03-31 |
| Photography | 659 | $20,225†‡ | $1.1M | 84.4% | 2026-10-22 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 91 | $200,918 | $1.1M | — | 2026-10-08 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Richard Avedon's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (85 lots) median $1,495 with 87.1% sell-through. Paintings (2 lots) median $217,544, record $411,587. A typical Richard Avedon painting sells for around 146× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 91 lots) the median is $200,918.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 20 | $542–$15,138‡ | $2,982‡ | $228,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 48 | $711–$2,124†‡ | $1,342†‡ | $608,493 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 317 | $6,250–$41,328†‡ | $14,529†‡ | $341,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 135 | $22,561–$89,904‡ | $47,500‡ | $1M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 36 | $86,262–$357,290 | $176,059 | $1.1M |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2010 | $1.1M |
| Photography | 2021 | $1M |
| Prints & Editions | 2010 | $608,493 |
| Paintings | 2010 | $411,587 |
| Prints & Editions | 2006 | $228,000 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2010 | $165,455 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2010 | $124,433 |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $40,834 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Richard Avedon worth?
Across 669 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Richard Avedon work is $16,273. The median Richard Avedon photograph sells for $20,225 across 556 lots. The median Richard Avedon print sells for $1,495 across 74 lots. The median Richard Avedon sculpture sells for $80,130 across 7 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Richard Avedon photographs typically sell for $6,250–$41,328 (the middle half of 317 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Richard Avedon photographs typically sell for $22,561–$89,904 (the middle half of 135 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 Richard Avedon photograph?
Based on 556 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Richard Avedon photograph is $20,225. 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 Richard Avedon's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Richard Avedon photograph is $1,149,983.
What is the average price of a Richard Avedon print?
Based on 74 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Richard Avedon print is $1,495. 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 Richard Avedon's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Richard Avedon print is $608,493.
What is the average price of a small Richard Avedon photograph?
Based on 317 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Richard Avedon photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $14,529, 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 the average price of a medium Richard Avedon photograph?
Based on 135 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Richard Avedon photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $47,500, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Richard Avedon's auction record?
Richard Avedon's auction record is $1,149,983, set in 2010.
See the full Richard Avedon record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Richard Avedon on OpeningBid →