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

# Robert Arneson (1930–1992)

## What is Robert Arneson’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 80 auction results for Robert Arneson at 10 houses since 2005. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,826 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,032–$24,000, n=41). The auction record is $184,800 for California Artist (2025, Wright). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | 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 | Ronny, 1987 | Glazed earthenware, aluminum, brass, birch veneer, found objects | $30,480 | Wright | Jun 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 28 | $10,425 |
| Works on paper | 11 | $6,000 |
| Other | 29 | $3,500 |
| Prints | 8 | $1,834 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $19,200 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 19 | $2,250 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 17 | $1,995 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 80 results from 10 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Robert Arneson is an American artist with 103 auction lots recorded since 2005, median price $4,284.

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 2026-11-03).

- [Robert Arneson on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/robert-arneson?ref=kg:robert-arneson) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Robert Arneson work worth?

Across 79 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Robert Arneson work is $4,284.

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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Robert Arneson worth?

Across 79 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Robert Arneson work is $4,284. 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.

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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, “Robert Arneson auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/robert-arneson (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.