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

# Robert Cottingham (b. 1935)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 266 auction results for Robert Cottingham at 32 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,080 including buyer’s premium (middle half $704–$1,913, n=61). The auction record is $241,000 for Ode (2007, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ode | — | $241,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2007 |
| 2 | May Company, 1935 | Oil on canvas | $235,500 | Bonhams | Nov 2016 |
| 3 | Rat, 1935 | Painting | $214,575 | Bonhams | May 2023 |
| 4 | Star | Oil on canvas | $169,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 5 | Pool Car | Acrylic and sand on canvas | $133,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 6 | Art | Gouache on paper | $109,000 | Sotheby's | Apr 2008 |
| 7 | Lone Star, 1991 | Oil paint | $85,000 | Christie's | Sep 2022 |
| 8 | Ode, 1971 | Acrylic paint | $69,600 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 9 | Latina, 1978 | Acrylic paint | $61,000 | Christie's | Nov 2007 |
| 10 | Great Northern, 1988 | Painting | $59,750 | Christie's | May 2002 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 31 | $33,020 |
| Works on paper | 30 | $7,650 |
| Other | 13 | $1,750 |
| Prints | 171 | $1,226 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 14 | $36,830 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 163 | $1,512 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 55 | $1,250 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 266 results from 32 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Robert Cottingham is an American artist with 393 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $1,541. 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 Cottingham sold in 2026 for $2,432, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**4 Robert Cottingham works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

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

## What is a Robert Cottingham work worth?

Across 264 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Robert Cottingham work is $1,541.

The median Robert Cottingham print sells for $1,188 across 184 lots.

The median Robert Cottingham painting sells for $24,320 across 34 lots.

The median Robert Cottingham work on paper sells for $8,528 across 22 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Robert Cottingham prints typically sell for $826–$1,905 (the middle half of 141 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Robert Cottingham prints typically sell for $625–$1,250 (the middle half of 37 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 | 209 | $1,188†‡ | $44,450 | 88% | 2026-09-10 |
| Paintings | 39 | $24,320 | $235,500 | 87.2% | 2026-02-27 |
| Works on Paper | 25 | $8,528‡ | $61,000 | 88% | 2026-09-30 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 13 | $1,408 | $1,408 | 7.7% | 2026-08-28 |
| Photography | 5 | $5,250 | $6,000 | 60% | 2020-07-24 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 14 | $77,300 | $241,000 | — | 2023-10-18 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

Robert Cottingham's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (209 lots) median $1,188 with 88% sell-through. Paintings (39 lots) median $24,320, record $235,500. A typical Robert Cottingham painting sells for around 20× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 14 lots) the median is $77,300.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 37 | $625–$1,250† | $1,000† | $5,250 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 141 | $826–$1,905†‡ | $1,235†‡ | $44,450 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $8,559–$13,192 | $10,448 | $32,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 15 | $13,235–$36,890 | $15,360 | $51,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 12 | $28,800–$73,450 | $46,352 | $235,500 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $6,965–$25,252 | $10,257 | $61,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 10 | $3,877–$9,824‡ | $5,475‡ | $18,750 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2016 | $235,500 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $214,575 |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $61,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $44,450 |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $30,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $22,500 |
| Photography | 2014 | $6,000 |
| Photography | 2020 | $5,250 |

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 Cottingham worth?

Across 264 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Robert Cottingham work is $1,541. The median Robert Cottingham print sells for $1,188 across 184 lots. The median Robert Cottingham painting sells for $24,320 across 34 lots. The median Robert Cottingham work on paper sells for $8,528 across 22 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Robert Cottingham prints typically sell for $826–$1,905 (the middle half of 141 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Robert Cottingham prints typically sell for $625–$1,250 (the middle half of 37 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 Cottingham print?

Based on 184 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Robert Cottingham print is $1,188. 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 Robert Cottingham's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Robert Cottingham print is $44,450.

### What is the average price of a Robert Cottingham painting?

Based on 34 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Robert Cottingham painting is $24,320.

### What is Robert Cottingham's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Robert Cottingham painting is $235,500.

### What is the average price of a Robert Cottingham work on paper?

Based on 22 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Robert Cottingham work on paper is $8,528. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Robert Cottingham's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Robert Cottingham work on paper is $61,000.

### What is the average price of a medium Robert Cottingham print?

Based on 141 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Robert Cottingham print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,235, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 small Robert Cottingham print?

Based on 37 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Robert Cottingham print (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Robert Cottingham's auction record?

Robert Cottingham's auction record is $241,000, set in 2007.

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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 Cottingham auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/robert-cottingham (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.