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

# Robert Mapplethorpe (1946–1989)

Robert Mapplethorpe is an American artist with 308 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $9,600. 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 Mapplethorpe sold in 2025 for $13,750, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Robert Mapplethorpe work worth?

Across 262 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Robert Mapplethorpe work is $9,600.

The median Robert Mapplethorpe photograph sells for $10,469 across 220 lots.

The median Robert Mapplethorpe print sells for $5,000 across 20 lots.

The median Robert Mapplethorpe work on paper sells for $5,467 across 3 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Robert Mapplethorpe photographs typically sell for $5,619–$24,116 (the middle half of 142 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Robert Mapplethorpe photographs typically sell for $8,005–$33,229 (the middle half of 43 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 | 21 | $5,000†‡ | $615,705 | 95.2% | 2026-09-18 |
| Works on Paper | 3 | $5,467 | $25,156 | — | 2010-09-16 |
| Photography | 243 | $10,469†‡ | $504,031 | 90.5% | 2026-05-31 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 15 | $364,570 | $749,245 | — | 2010-04-15 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $111–$297,042†‡ | $5,000†‡ | $615,705 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 142 | $5,619–$24,116†‡ | $11,730†‡ | $504,031 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 43 | $8,005–$33,229†‡ | $12,082†‡ | $94,455 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2005 | $615,705 |
| Prints & Editions | 2008 | $523,355 |
| Photography | 2010 | $504,031 |
| Photography | 2007 | $444,539 |
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $25,156 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $5,467 |

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 Mapplethorpe worth?

Across 262 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Robert Mapplethorpe work is $9,600. The median Robert Mapplethorpe photograph sells for $10,469 across 220 lots. The median Robert Mapplethorpe print sells for $5,000 across 20 lots. The median Robert Mapplethorpe work on paper sells for $5,467 across 3 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Robert Mapplethorpe photographs typically sell for $5,619–$24,116 (the middle half of 142 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Robert Mapplethorpe photographs typically sell for $8,005–$33,229 (the middle half of 43 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 Mapplethorpe photograph?

Based on 220 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Robert Mapplethorpe photograph is $10,469. 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 Mapplethorpe's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Robert Mapplethorpe photograph is $504,031.

### What is the average price of a Robert Mapplethorpe print?

Based on 20 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Robert Mapplethorpe print is $5,000. 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 Mapplethorpe's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Robert Mapplethorpe print is $615,705.

### What is the average price of a small Robert Mapplethorpe photograph?

Based on 142 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Robert Mapplethorpe photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $11,730, 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 medium Robert Mapplethorpe photograph?

Based on 43 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Robert Mapplethorpe photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $12,082, 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 Robert Mapplethorpe's auction record?

Robert Mapplethorpe's auction record is $749,245, set in 2006.

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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 Mapplethorpe auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/robert-mapplethorpe (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.