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

# Richard Diebenkorn (1922–1993)

## What is Richard Diebenkorn’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 798 auction results for Richard Diebenkorn at 30 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $9,525 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,750–$55,000, n=105). The auction record is $46,410,000 for Recollections of a Visit to Leningrad (2023, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Recollections of a Visit to Leningrad, 1965 | Oil paint | $46,410,000 | Christie's | Nov 2023 |
| 2 | Ocean Park #40, 1971 | Charcoal | $27,265,500 | Sotheby's | May 2021 |
| 3 | Ocean Park #126, 1984 | Oil paint | $23,937,500 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 4 | Ocean Park #137, 1985 | Charcoal | $22,587,500 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 5 | Ocean Park #40, 1971 | Charcoal | $17,655,000 | Christie's | Nov 2025 |
| 6 | Ocean Park # 48, 1971 | Oil paint | $13,522,500 | Christie's | Nov 2012 |
| 7 | Ocean Park #56, 1972 | Oil paint | $11,424,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2023 |
| 8 | Berkeley #32, 1955 | Oil paint | $9,922,500 | Christie's | May 2019 |
| 9 | Ocean Park #121, 1980 | Oil paint | $7,698,500 | Christie's | May 2011 |
| 10 | Ocean Park #92, 1976 | Oil paint | $7,067,750 | Christie's | May 2013 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 80 | $1,064,500 |
| Works on paper | 131 | $87,500 |
| Other | 28 | $8,313 |
| Prints | 528 | $4,375 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 40 | $3,371,750 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 367 | $9,500 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 325 | $5,418 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 798 results from 30 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Richard Diebenkorn is an American artist with 950 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $8,400. 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 Diebenkorn sold in 2026 for $32,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**5 Richard Diebenkorn works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Richard Diebenkorn on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/richard-diebenkorn?ref=kg:richard-diebenkorn) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Richard Diebenkorn work worth?

Across 790 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Richard Diebenkorn work is $8,400.

The median Richard Diebenkorn print sells for $4,160 across 535 lots.

The median Richard Diebenkorn work on paper sells for $119,700 across 124 lots.

The median Richard Diebenkorn painting sells for $1,152,500 across 71 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Richard Diebenkorn prints typically sell for $3,250–$22,500 (the middle half of 297 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Richard Diebenkorn prints typically sell for $1,929–$6,072 (the middle half of 222 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 | 606 | $4,160†‡ | $548,000 | 88.3% | 2026-10-20 |
| Paintings | 80 | $1.2M | $46.4M | 88.8% | 2026-03-18 |
| Works on Paper | 142 | $119,700 | $6.6M | 87.3% | 2026-10-08 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $55,000 | $55,000 | — | 2022-06-21 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 165 | $525,000 | $46.4M | — | 2026-10-21 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Richard Diebenkorn's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (606 lots) median $4,160 with 88.3% sell-through. Paintings (80 lots) median $1,152,500, record $46,410,000. A typical Richard Diebenkorn painting sells for around 277× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 165 lots) the median is $525,000.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 222 | $1,929–$6,072†‡ | $3,024†‡ | $233,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 297 | $3,250–$22,500†‡ | $5,737†‡ | $548,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $7,459–$36,250 | $25,000 | $125,000 |

† 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) | 17 | $69,850–$458,500 | $254,500 | $2.3M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 19 | $577,500–$2M | $1M | $4.7M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 35 | $1.2M–$7.4M | $4.3M | $46.4M |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 80 | $19,688–$125,712 | $50,200 | $856,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 43 | $298,000–$1M | $525,000 | $6.6M |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2023 | $46.4M |
| Paintings | 2021 | $27.3M |
| Works on Paper | 2009 | $6.6M |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $4M |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $548,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $542,175 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $55,000 |

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 Richard Diebenkorn worth?

Across 790 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Richard Diebenkorn work is $8,400. The median Richard Diebenkorn print sells for $4,160 across 535 lots. The median Richard Diebenkorn work on paper sells for $119,700 across 124 lots. The median Richard Diebenkorn painting sells for $1,152,500 across 71 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Richard Diebenkorn prints typically sell for $3,250–$22,500 (the middle half of 297 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Richard Diebenkorn prints typically sell for $1,929–$6,072 (the middle half of 222 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 Diebenkorn print?

Based on 535 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Richard Diebenkorn print is $4,160. 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 Diebenkorn's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Richard Diebenkorn print is $548,000.

### What is the average price of a Richard Diebenkorn work on paper?

Based on 124 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Richard Diebenkorn work on paper is $119,700.

### What is Richard Diebenkorn's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Richard Diebenkorn work on paper is $6,578,500.

### What is the average price of a Richard Diebenkorn painting?

Based on 71 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Richard Diebenkorn painting is $1,152,500.

### What is Richard Diebenkorn's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Richard Diebenkorn painting is $46,410,000.

### What is the average price of a medium Richard Diebenkorn print?

Based on 297 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Richard Diebenkorn print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $5,737, 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 small Richard Diebenkorn print?

Based on 222 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Richard Diebenkorn print (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,024, 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 Richard Diebenkorn's auction record?

Richard Diebenkorn's auction record is $46,410,000, set in 2023.

---

Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Richard Diebenkorn auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/richard-diebenkorn (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.