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

# Richard Kern (b. 1954)

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

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 38 auction results for Richard Kern at 6 houses since 2002. Over the last 24 months the median price was $956 including buyer’s premium (middle half $576–$1,001, n=5). The auction record is $6,534 for LUCY LIFTS SHIRT SHOWS TITS (2019, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LUCY LIFTS SHIRT SHOWS TITS, 1997 | C-print | $6,534 | Sotheby's | Dec 2019 |
| 2 | No Dogs (Long Island) | — | $3,750 | Sotheby's | Sep 2008 |
| 3 | Katie Masturbates | C-print vintage | $2,368 | Finarte Casa d'Aste | Oct 2021 |
| 4 | Kerry Masturbates | C-print vintage | $2,323 | Finarte Casa d'Aste | Mar 2023 |
| 5 | Nicole meets Chloe, 2001 | C-print vintage su carta Kodak | $2,134 | Finarte Casa d'Aste | Mar 2021 |
| 6 | Lisa Looking Through Her Legs, 1997 | Cibachrome print | $1,890 | Sotheby's | Dec 2022 |
| 7 | Lung Leg in "You Killed Me 1st", 1986 | Gelatin silver print | $1,651 | Sotheby's | Dec 2023 |
| 8 | Adreienne outside | C-print vintage | $1,480 | Finarte Casa d'Aste | Oct 2021 |
| 9 | Kim and Joyce in Van, 1999 | C-print | $1,386 | Sotheby's | Dec 2022 |
| 10 | Monica on Table at Beths, 1983 | Silver | $1,330 | Wright | May 2018 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 20 | $1,036 |
| Other | 15 | $998 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 14 | $1,116 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 20 | $999 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 38 results from 6 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Richard Kern is an American artist with 83 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $1,013.

A work by Richard Kern sold in 2025 for $1,052, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

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

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

## What is a Richard Kern work worth?

Across 38 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Richard Kern work is $1,013.

The median Richard Kern photograph sells for $1,001 across 35 lots.

The median Richard Kern print sells for $1,444 across 2 lots.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 5 | $1,444 | $1,890 | 40% | 2022-12-20 |
| Photography | 44 | $1,001 | $6,534 | 79.5% | 2026-06-26 |

## Price by size

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 19 | $547–$1,191 | $1,001 | $6,534 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 13 | $938–$1,247 | $1,037 | $2,368 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2019 | $6,534 |
| Photography | 2021 | $2,368 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $1,890 |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $998 |

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 Kern worth?

Across 38 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Richard Kern work is $1,013. The median Richard Kern photograph sells for $1,001 across 35 lots. The median Richard Kern print sells for $1,444 across 2 lots.

### What is the average price of a Richard Kern photograph?

Based on 35 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Richard Kern photograph is $1,001.

### What is Richard Kern's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Richard Kern photograph is $6,534.

### What is the average price of a small Richard Kern photograph?

Based on 19 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Richard Kern photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,001, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a medium Richard Kern photograph?

Based on 13 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Richard Kern photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,037, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Richard Kern's auction record?

Richard Kern's auction record is $6,534, 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, “Richard Kern auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/richard-kern (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.