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

# Robert Mapplethorpe (1946–1989)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 1,060 auction results for Robert Mapplethorpe at 52 houses since 1990. Over the last 24 months the median price was $18,060 including buyer’s premium (middle half $8,599–$33,020, n=114). The auction record is $726,348 for Self-Portrait (2017, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Self-Portrait, 1988 | Photographed and printed in 1988, this work is number three from an edition of three plus one artist's proof | $726,348 | Christie's | Oct 2017 |
| 2 | Flag, 1946 | Photograph | $487,500 | Christie's | Oct 2016 |
| 3 | Double Tiger Lily, 1977 | Unique work, comprising two gelatin silver prints in artist's original silk overmats and frame | $400,682 | Phillips | May 2018 |
| 4 | American Flag, 1946 | Cartes-de-visite | $365,400 | Christie's | Nov 2022 |
| 5 | Man in Polyester Suit, 1980 | Cartes-de-visite | $355,600 | Phillips | Apr 2023 |
| 6 | Tulips, 1977 | Unique composition of two gelatin silver prints with gray and black silk overmats in artist's original frame | $298,000 | Phillips | Apr 2017 |
| 7 | American Flag, 1987 | Cartes-de-visite | $244,524 | Phillips | May 2018 |
| 8 | Calla Lily, 1946 | Platinum print | $227,628 | Christie's | Nov 2006 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man in Polyester Suit, 1946 | Signé, daté et numéroté '1/15' à l'encre (dans la marge); cachet de copyright du photographe, signé et daté à l'encre (au dos du montage) | $337,032 | Christie's | Nov 2015 |
| 2 | Man in Polyester Suit, 1946 | Gelatin silver print, flush-mounted on board | $235,712 | Christie's | Nov 2023 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 100 | $17,255 |
| Photographs | 796 | $15,000 |
| Works on paper | 20 | $7,000 |
| Prints | 28 | $3,769 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 185 | $18,900 |
| Large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $17,492 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 692 | $13,552 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 1,060 results from 52 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Robert Mapplethorpe is an American artist with 1,296 auction lots recorded since 1990, median price $13,128. 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 2026 for $22,923, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Robert Mapplethorpe work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

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

## What is a Robert Mapplethorpe work worth?

Across 1,056 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Robert Mapplethorpe work is $13,128.

The median Robert Mapplethorpe photograph sells for $13,750 across 912 lots.

The median Robert Mapplethorpe print sells for $10,160 across 66 lots.

The median Robert Mapplethorpe work on paper sells for $38,400 across 13 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Robert Mapplethorpe photographs typically sell for $7,212–$25,515 (the middle half of 678 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Robert Mapplethorpe photographs typically sell for $9,716–$39,375 (the middle half of 168 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 | 74 | $10,160†‡ | $160,486 | 89.2% | 2026-10-08 |
| Works on Paper | 13 | $38,400 | $156,000 | — | 2019-04-02 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2 | $38,750 | $52,500 | — | 2018-10-05 |
| Photography | 1,042 | $13,750†‡ | $726,348 | 87.5% | 2026-10-23 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 53 | $134,157 | $726,348 | — | 2026-10-08 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 29 | $1,625–$16,510† | $9,600† | $96,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 33 | $2,268–$33,494†‡ | $10,923†‡ | $160,486 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $6,367–$53,775 | $10,000 | $156,000 |

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 678 | $7,212–$25,515†‡ | $12,899†‡ | $400,682 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 168 | $9,716–$39,375†‡ | $17,111†‡ | $726,348 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 8 | $12,256–$80,392†‡ | $16,447†‡ | $125,000 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2017 | $726,348 |
| Photography | 2006 | $643,200 |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $160,486 |
| Works on Paper | 2005 | $156,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $120,640 |
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $86,474 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2018 | $52,500 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2018 | $25,000 |

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 1,056 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Robert Mapplethorpe work is $13,128. The median Robert Mapplethorpe photograph sells for $13,750 across 912 lots. The median Robert Mapplethorpe print sells for $10,160 across 66 lots. The median Robert Mapplethorpe work on paper sells for $38,400 across 13 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Robert Mapplethorpe photographs typically sell for $7,212–$25,515 (the middle half of 678 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Robert Mapplethorpe photographs typically sell for $9,716–$39,375 (the middle half of 168 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 912 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Robert Mapplethorpe photograph is $13,750. 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 $726,348.

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

Based on 66 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Robert Mapplethorpe print is $10,160. 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 $160,486.

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

Based on 13 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Robert Mapplethorpe work on paper is $38,400.

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a Robert Mapplethorpe work on paper is $156,000.

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

Based on 678 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Robert Mapplethorpe photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $12,899, 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 168 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Robert Mapplethorpe photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $17,111, 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 $726,348, set in 2017.

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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.