> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/robert-carston-arneson · updated 2026-11-02

# Robert Carston Arneson (1930–1992)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 132 auction results for Robert Carston Arneson at 6 houses since 2002. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,604 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,524–$10,736, n=22). The auction record is $233,000 for Portrait of the Artist as a Clever Old Dog (2014, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portrait of the Artist as a Clever Old Dog, 1981 | Eleven elements—glazed ceramic | $233,000 | Christie's | Nov 2014 |
| 2 | California Artist, 1982 | Architectural terracotta | $184,800 | Rago Arts | Jun 2025 |
| 3 | Konk, 1978 | Architectural terracotta | $126,000 | Rago Arts | Feb 2024 |
| 4 | Laughing George, 1976 | Architectural terracotta | $100,000 | Wright | Sep 2018 |
| 5 | Sorts, 1977 | Ceramics | $68,750 | Christie's | Mar 2016 |
| 6 | Big Head of Jackson (Pollock), 1987 | Ceramics | $52,900 | Wright | Dec 2002 |
| 7 | The Coach, 1976 | Glazed ceramic | $43,750 | Bonhams | Mar 2015 |
| 8 | Santa Bob, 1975 | Architectural terracotta | $37,500 | Rago Arts | Sep 2021 |
| 9 | Sharp Focused, 1981 | Bronze | $33,020 | Rago Arts | Oct 2025 |
| 10 | Ronny, 1987 | Architectural terracotta | $30,480 | Rago Arts | Jun 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 99 | $4,032 |
| Works on paper | 11 | $4,000 |
| Prints | 6 | $1,991 |
| Other | 14 | $1,388 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $30,480 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 30 | $5,020 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 95 | $2,805 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 132 results from 6 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Robert Carston Arneson is an American artist with 164 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $3,466.

A work by Robert Carston Arneson sold in 2025 for $12,700, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Robert Carston Arneson work worth?

Across 132 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Robert Carston Arneson work is $3,466.

The median Robert Carston Arneson print sells for $1,991 across 6 lots.

The median Robert Carston Arneson painting sells for $5,312 across 6 lots.

The median Robert Carston Arneson work on paper sells for $4,000 across 7 lots.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 9 | $1,991 | $4,826 | 66.7% | 2025-12-05 |
| Paintings | 8 | $5,312 | $8,125 | 75% | 2017-05-06 |
| Works on Paper | 7 | $4,000 | $7,575 | — | 2025-06-19 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 5 | $2,620 | $33,020 | — | 2025-10-10 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 7 | $100,000 | $233,000 | — | 2025-06-19 |

Robert Carston Arneson's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (9 lots) median $1,991 with 66.7% sell-through. Paintings (8 lots) median $5,312, record $8,125. A typical Robert Carston Arneson painting sells for around 2.7× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 7 lots) the median is $100,000.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $1,512–$2,600 | $2,470 | $4,826 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $33,020 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2024 | $8,820 |
| Paintings | 2013 | $8,125 |
| Paintings | 2017 | $8,125 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $7,575 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $6,250 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $4,826 |
| Prints & Editions | 2020 | $2,600 |

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 Carston Arneson worth?

Across 132 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Robert Carston Arneson work is $3,466. The median Robert Carston Arneson print sells for $1,991 across 6 lots. The median Robert Carston Arneson painting sells for $5,312 across 6 lots. The median Robert Carston Arneson work on paper sells for $4,000 across 7 lots.

### What is Robert Carston Arneson's auction record?

Robert Carston Arneson's auction record is $233,000, set in 2014.

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

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Robert Carston Arneson auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/robert-carston-arneson (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.