Robert Adams (1937–1984)
What is Robert Adams’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 444 auction results for Robert Adams at 26 houses since 1997. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,625 including buyer’s premium (middle half $535–$8,873, n=80). The auction record is $330,200 for Selected Images from Eden, Colorado (2023, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Selected Images from Eden, Colorado, 1968-70 | Cartes-de-visite | $330,200 | Sotheby's | May 2023 |
| 2 | Eden, Colorado, 1968 | 17 gelatin silver prints, each mounted on Bainbridge Illustration board | $239,400 | Christie's | Nov 2024 |
| 3 | Colorado Springs, 1995 | Cartes-de-visite | $215,900 | Sotheby's | May 2023 |
| 4 | Pikes Peak (Colorado Springs), 1969 | Cartes-de-visite | $95,250 | Sotheby's | May 2023 |
| 5 | Longmont, Colorado, 1990 | Cartes-de-visite | $81,900 | Phillips | Oct 2021 |
| 6 | Berthoud, Colorado, 1985 | Cartes-de-visite | $81,280 | Phillips | Apr 2025 |
| 7 | Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1990 | Cartes-de-visite | $81,250 | Phillips | Oct 2014 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Longmont, Colorado, 1979, 1990 | Cartes-de-visite | $94,500 | Christie's | Oct 2024 |
| 2 | Longmont, Colorado, 1985 | Cartes-de-visite | $88,900 | Sotheby's | May 2023 |
| 3 | Longmont, Colorado, 1989 | Cartes-de-visite | $75,000 | Phillips | Jul 2020 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 214 | $12,623 |
| Sculpture | 70 | $11,139 |
| Other | 52 | $5,453 |
| Works on paper | 34 | $863 |
| Prints | 35 | $393 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $18,328 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 321 | $10,160 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 47 | $599 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 444 results from 26 houses · How we compute these figures
Robert Adams is an American artist with 516 auction lots recorded since 1997, median price $8,255. 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 Robert Adams sold in 2026 for $59,924, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
3 Robert Adams works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Robert Adams free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Robert Adams record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Robert Adams on OpeningBid →What is a Robert Adams work worth?
Across 444 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Robert Adams work is $8,255.
The median Robert Adams photograph sells for $12,378 across 258 lots.
The median Robert Adams sculpture sells for $8,774 across 71 lots.
The median Robert Adams print sells for $449 across 48 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Robert Adams photographs typically sell for $7,018–$18,923 (the middle half of 232 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) Robert Adams sculptures typically sell for $3,359–$11,156 (the middle half of 47 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 | 53 | $449† | $23,571 | 90.6% | 2026-06-12 |
| Works on Paper | 35 | $782 | $3,919 | 94.3% | 2026-09-08 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 82 | $8,774† | $58,779 | 86.6% | 2026-10-30 |
| Photography | 284 | $12,378‡ | $330,200 | 90.8% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 22 | $69,300 | $330,200 | — | 2026-10-22 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 21 | $343–$979 | $535 | $23,571 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 26 | $264–$537† | $359† | $1,230 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 23 | $533–$1,517 | $772 | $3,919 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $477–$1,555 | $1,155 | $1,670 |
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 47 | $3,359–$11,156† | $7,019† | $21,538 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 14 | $5,487–$22,092† | $18,051† | $50,946 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 10 | $14,243–$45,869 | $27,996 | $58,779 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 232 | $7,018–$18,923‡ | $12,600‡ | $330,200 |
‡ 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 | 2023 | $330,200 |
| Photography | 2024 | $239,400 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2019 | $58,779 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2014 | $50,946 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $23,571 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $14,142 |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $3,919 |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $3,321 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Robert Adams worth?
Across 444 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Robert Adams work is $8,255. The median Robert Adams photograph sells for $12,378 across 258 lots. The median Robert Adams sculpture sells for $8,774 across 71 lots. The median Robert Adams print sells for $449 across 48 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Robert Adams photographs typically sell for $7,018–$18,923 (the middle half of 232 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Robert Adams sculptures typically sell for $3,359–$11,156 (the middle half of 47 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 Robert Adams photograph?
Based on 258 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Robert Adams photograph is $12,378. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Robert Adams's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Robert Adams photograph is $330,200.
What is the average price of a Robert Adams sculpture?
Based on 71 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Robert Adams sculpture is $8,774. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Robert Adams's most expensive sculpture?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Robert Adams sculpture is $58,779.
What is the average price of a Robert Adams print?
Based on 48 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Robert Adams print is $449. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Robert Adams's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Robert Adams print is $23,571.
What is the average price of a small Robert Adams photograph?
Based on 232 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Robert Adams photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $12,600, 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 small Robert Adams sculpture?
Based on 47 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Robert Adams sculpture (small (under 50 cm)) is $7,019, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Robert Adams's auction record?
Robert Adams's auction record is $330,200, set in 2023.
See the full Robert Adams record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Robert Adams on OpeningBid →