Robert Colescott (1925–2009)
What is Robert Colescott’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 96 auction results for Robert Colescott at 11 houses since 2002. Over the last 24 months the median price was $28,160 including buyer’s premium (middle half $8,890–$33,463, n=15). The auction record is $15,315,900 for George Washington Carver Crossing the Delaware: Page from an American History Textbook (2021, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Washington Carver Crossing the Delaware: Page from an American History Textbook, 1975 | Acrylic paint | $15,315,900 | Sotheby's | May 2021 |
| 2 | Miss Liberty, 1980 | Acrylic | $4,500,375 | Bonhams | Feb 2023 |
| 3 | Eat dem Taters, 1975 | Acrylic paint | $3,922,000 | Christie's | Nov 2023 |
| 4 | Cultural Exchange, 1987 | Acrylic paint | $912,500 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 5 | Gift of the Sea, 1984 | Acrylic paint | $504,000 | Phillips | Jun 2021 |
| 6 | Green Glove Rapist, 1971 | Acrylic on canvas | $486,679 | Sotheby's | Apr 2021 |
| 7 | Pancho Villa, 1971 | Acrylic paint | $453,600 | Christie's | May 2024 |
| 8 | Knowledge of the Past is the Key to the Future: The Original, 1984 | Acrylic paint | $400,000 | Phillips | May 2019 |
| 9 | Cactus Jack, 1977 | Acrylic | $381,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2025 |
| 10 | Magic Act II, 1971 | Acrylic paint | $378,000 | Christie's | Nov 2024 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 48 | $91,131 |
| Other | 9 | $50,000 |
| Works on paper | 24 | $22,590 |
| Prints | 9 | $2,040 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 39 | $176,737 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $30,000 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 40 | $22,130 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 96 results from 11 houses · How we compute these figures
Robert Colescott is an American artist with 114 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $34,852. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.
A work by Robert Colescott sold in 2025 for $57,150, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Robert Colescott record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Robert Colescott on OpeningBid →What is a Robert Colescott work worth?
Across 96 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Robert Colescott work is $34,852.
The median Robert Colescott painting sells for $91,131 across 51 lots.
The median Robert Colescott work on paper sells for $25,000 across 31 lots.
The median Robert Colescott print sells for $3,000 across 10 lots.
Large (over 120 cm) Robert Colescott paintings typically sell for $86,788–$385,750 (the middle half of 32 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Robert Colescott work on papers typically sell for $16,028–$34,500 (the middle half of 22 sold lots).
Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 12 | $3,000† | $40,695 | 83.3% | 2025-11-14 |
| Paintings | 56 | $91,131 | $15.3M | 91.1% | 2025-12-16 |
| Works on Paper | 37 | $25,000 | $62,500 | 83.8% | 2026-02-27 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 24 | $340,900 | $15.3M | — | 2025-11-19 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Robert Colescott's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (12 lots) median $3,000 with 83.3% sell-through. Paintings (56 lots) median $91,131, record $15,315,900. A typical Robert Colescott painting sells for around 30× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 24 lots) the median is $340,900.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $1,905–$7,358† | $3,292† | $40,695 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $25,000–$87,500 | $37,500 | $113,775 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $14,400–$35,280 | $31,875 | $43,750 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 32 | $86,788–$385,750 | $250,900 | $15.3M |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 22 | $16,028–$34,500 | $25,000 | $60,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $15,750–$37,700 | $22,680 | $62,500 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2021 | $15.3M |
| Paintings | 2023 | $4.5M |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $62,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $60,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $40,695 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $11,430 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Robert Colescott worth?
Across 96 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Robert Colescott work is $34,852. The median Robert Colescott painting sells for $91,131 across 51 lots. The median Robert Colescott work on paper sells for $25,000 across 31 lots. The median Robert Colescott print sells for $3,000 across 10 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Robert Colescott paintings typically sell for $86,788–$385,750 (the middle half of 32 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Robert Colescott work on papers typically sell for $16,028–$34,500 (the middle half of 22 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a Robert Colescott painting?
Based on 51 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Robert Colescott painting is $91,131.
What is Robert Colescott's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Robert Colescott painting is $15,315,900.
What is the average price of a Robert Colescott work on paper?
Based on 31 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Robert Colescott work on paper is $25,000.
What is Robert Colescott's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Robert Colescott work on paper is $62,500.
What is the average price of a Robert Colescott print?
Based on 10 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Robert Colescott print is $3,000. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Robert Colescott's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Robert Colescott print is $40,695.
What is the average price of a large Robert Colescott painting?
Based on 32 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Robert Colescott painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $250,900, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is the average price of a medium Robert Colescott work on paper?
Based on 22 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Robert Colescott work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $25,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Robert Colescott's auction record?
Robert Colescott's auction record is $15,315,900, set in 2021.
See the full Robert Colescott record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Robert Colescott on OpeningBid →