Robert Arneson (1930–1992)
What is Robert Arneson’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 71 auction results for Robert Arneson at 10 houses since 2005. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,736 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,023–$24,000, n=40). The auction record is $184,800 for California Artist (2025, Wright). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Artist, 1982 | Patinated and enameled bronze, glazed earthenware | $184,800 | Wright | Jun 2025 |
| 2 | Byron Meyer in Disguise, 1986 | Glazed ceramic | $152,400 | Sotheby's | Nov 2025 |
| 3 | California Artist, 1982 | Patinated and enameled bronze, glazed earthenware | $140,000 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Jun 2025 |
| 4 | Philip Guston 1913-1980, 1980 | Glazed ceramic | $78,740 | Sotheby's | Nov 2025 |
| 5 | Head Bath, 1977 | Glazed ceramic | $60,960 | Sotheby's | Nov 2025 |
| 6 | Drawing for Ikarus, 1980 | Acrylic, oil stick, wax crayon and pastel on paper | $52,500 | Christie's | Dec 2018 |
| 7 | Flat Face, 1981 | Cast pigmented paper pulp construction | $32,500 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 8 | Smashed Typewriter (Post Writer), 1971 | Glazed ceramic | $31,750 | Sotheby's | Nov 2025 |
| 9 | Picture hook | Fiberglass, rope and color photograph on ceramic tile | $31,000 | Sotheby's | Apr 2008 |
| 10 | Blind Duck, 1930 | Acrylic and oil stick on paper | $28,160 | Bonhams | Mar 2026 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 9 | $16,640 |
| Sculpture | 27 | $11,250 |
| Other | 24 | $3,250 |
| Prints | 7 | $1,778 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $19,200 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 19 | $2,250 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 15 | $1,995 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 71 results from 10 houses · How we compute these figures
Robert Arneson is an American artist with 92 auction lots recorded since 2005, median price $4,800.
A work by Robert Arneson sold in 2026 for $19,200, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
2 Robert Arneson works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Robert Arneson free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Robert Arneson record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Robert Arneson on OpeningBid →What is a Robert Arneson work worth?
Across 70 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Robert Arneson work is $4,800.
The median Robert Arneson print sells for $1,834 across 6 lots.
The median Robert Arneson work on paper sells for $28,160 across 5 lots.
The median Robert Arneson sculpture sells for $10,800 across 4 lots.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 6 | $1,834 | $4,608 | — | 2026-10-16 |
| Paintings | 4 | $3,826 | $10,625 | — | 2025-12-18 |
| Works on Paper | 5 | $28,160 | $52,500 | — | 2026-06-24 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 4 | $10,800 | $25,400 | — | 2026-03-04 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $146,200 | $184,800 | — | 2025-11-19 |
Robert Arneson's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (6 lots) median $1,834. Paintings (4 lots) median $3,826, record $10,625. A typical Robert Arneson painting sells for around 2.1× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 4 lots) the median is $146,200.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $1,578–$1,969 | $1,834 | $4,608 |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $19,200–$32,500 | $28,160 | $52,500 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $52,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $32,500 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2024 | $25,400 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2024 | $12,000 |
| Paintings | 2017 | $10,625 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $6,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $4,608 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $1,995 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Robert Arneson worth?
Across 70 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Robert Arneson work is $4,800. The median Robert Arneson print sells for $1,834 across 6 lots. The median Robert Arneson work on paper sells for $28,160 across 5 lots. The median Robert Arneson sculpture sells for $10,800 across 4 lots.
What is Robert Arneson's auction record?
Robert Arneson's auction record is $184,800, set in 2025.
See the full Robert Arneson record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Robert Arneson on OpeningBid →