> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/roman-opalka-2 · updated 2026-11-02

# Roman Opalka (1931–2011)

Roman Opalka is a French artist with 76 auction lots recorded since 1990, median price $66,586. 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 Roman Opalka sold in 2026 for $78,511, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Roman Opalka work worth?

Across 57 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Roman Opalka work is $66,586.

The median Roman Opalka work on paper sells for $66,586 across 23 lots.

The median Roman Opalka painting sells for $788,061 across 13 lots.

The median Roman Opalka print sells for $3,042 across 7 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Roman Opalka work on papers typically sell for $50,409–$75,708 (the middle half of 20 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 | 11 | $3,042‡ | $5,298 | 63.6% | 2024-05-16 |
| Paintings | 13 | $788,061 | $1.4M | — | 2023-05-17 |
| Works on Paper | 28 | $66,586† | $123,766 | 82.1% | 2023-12-07 |
| Photography | 10 | $15,322† | $156,143 | 90% | 2026-06-30 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 17 | $765,952 | $1.4M | — | 2023-05-17 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Roman Opalka's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (11 lots) median $3,042 with 63.6% sell-through. Paintings (13 lots) median $788,061, record $1,382,403. A typical Roman Opalka painting sells for around 259× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 17 lots) the median is $765,952.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $3,042–$3,734‡ | $3,108‡ | $5,298 |

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

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $775,168–$905,658 | $819,000 | $1.4M |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 20 | $50,409–$75,708† | $68,218† | $123,766 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $4,116–$20,816† | $18,040† | $156,143 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2021 | $1.4M |
| Paintings | 2019 | $975,590 |
| Photography | 2010 | $156,143 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $123,766 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $116,424 |
| Photography | 2022 | $20,816 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $3,734 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $3,108 |

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 Roman Opalka worth?

Across 57 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Roman Opalka work is $66,586. The median Roman Opalka work on paper sells for $66,586 across 23 lots. The median Roman Opalka painting sells for $788,061 across 13 lots. The median Roman Opalka print sells for $3,042 across 7 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Roman Opalka work on papers typically sell for $50,409–$75,708 (the middle half of 20 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 Roman Opalka work on paper?

Based on 23 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Roman Opalka work on paper is $66,586. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Roman Opalka's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Roman Opalka work on paper is $123,766.

### What is the average price of a Roman Opalka painting?

Based on 13 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Roman Opalka painting is $788,061.

### What is Roman Opalka's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Roman Opalka painting is $1,382,403.

### What is the average price of a Roman Opalka print?

Based on 7 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Roman Opalka print is $3,042. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Roman Opalka's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Roman Opalka print is $5,298.

### What is the average price of a small Roman Opalka work on paper?

Based on 20 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Roman Opalka work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $68,218, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a large Roman Opalka painting?

Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Roman Opalka painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $819,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Roman Opalka's auction record?

Roman Opalka's auction record is $1,382,403, set in 2021.

---

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

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Roman Opalka auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/roman-opalka-2 (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.