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

# Roman Opałka (1931–2011)

## What is Roman Opałka’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 139 auction results for Roman Opałka at 7 houses since 2008. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,304 including buyer’s premium (middle half $780–$37,167, n=25). The auction record is $2,185,719 for Detal 407817 - 434714 (2021, DESA Unicum). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detal 407817 - 434714, 1965 | Akryl/płótno | $2,185,719 | DESA Unicum | Nov 2021 |
| 2 | Opalka 1965/1-**** detail, 1931 | Triptych | $1,287,646 | Christie's | Oct 2010 |
| 3 | Detail 58885-89204, 1965 | Akryl/płótno | $1,283,876 | DESA Unicum | Nov 2024 |
| 4 | Detail 407817 - 434714, 1965 | Akryl/płótno | $1,222,739 | DESA Unicum | Nov 2024 |
| 5 | Detal 2806353 - 2828874, 1965 | Akryl/płótno | $1,174,410 | DESA Unicum | Nov 2023 |
| 6 | Detal 5533044 - 5547368 | Akryl/płótno | $1,163,164 | DESA Unicum | Feb 2022 |
| 7 | Detal 5446535-5462919 | Akryl/płótno | $1,162,101 | DESA Unicum | Nov 2025 |
| 8 | 1965/1-∞, Detail- 4776969-4795472, 1931 | Acrylic paint | $712,689 | Christie's | Jun 2016 |
| 9 | OPALKA 1965/1 -∞ Détail 2194426 - 2213198, 1965 | Acrylic paint | $701,692 | Christie's | Jun 2023 |
| 10 | OPAŁKA 1965/1 – ∞ DETAIL 4514079 – 4536373, 1965 | Acrylic on canvas | $613,896 | Phillips | Feb 2020 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 22 | $513,603 |
| Works on paper | 7 | $63,805 |
| Prints | 12 | $1,569 |
| Other | 28 | $1,402 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 18 | $657,794 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 16 | $6,811 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 33 | $1,433 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 139 results from 7 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Roman Opałka is a Polish artist with 234 auction lots recorded since 2008, median price $2,032. 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 Opałka sold in 2026 for $35,622, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

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

- [Roman Opałka on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/roman-opalka?ref=kg:roman-opalka) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Roman Opałka work worth?

Across 139 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Roman Opałka work is $2,032.

The median Roman Opałka work on paper sells for $4,181 across 30 lots.

The median Roman Opałka print sells for $800 across 29 lots.

The median Roman Opałka painting sells for $481,565 across 31 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Roman Opałka paintings typically sell for $62,709–$1,107,157 (the middle half of 26 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Roman Opałka work on papers typically sell for $1,285–$70,293 (the middle half of 24 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 | 48 | $800†‡ | $17,290 | 60.4% | 2026-05-11 |
| Paintings | 31 | $481,565†‡ | $2.2M | — | 2025-11-27 |
| Works on Paper | 54 | $4,181†‡ | $113,700† | 55.6% | 2025-11-27 |
| Photography | 7 | $25,107† | $49,648 | 57.1% | 2023-07-10 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 20 | $765,535† | $2.2M | — | 2025-11-27 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Roman Opałka's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (48 lots) median $800 with 60.4% sell-through. Paintings (31 lots) median $481,565, record $2,185,719. A typical Roman Opałka painting sells for around 602× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 20 lots) the median is $765,535.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $651–$1,251† | $800† | $1,341† |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 23 | $229–$3,712†‡ | $780†‡ | $17,290 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $31,558–$43,174 | $34,305 | $54,912 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 26 | $62,709–$1.1M†‡ | $657,794†‡ | $2.2M |

† 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) | 24 | $1,285–$70,293† | $1,916† | $102,959 |

† 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 | $2.2M |
| Paintings | 2010 | $1.3M |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $113,700† |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $102,959 |
| Photography | 2018 | $49,648 |
| Photography | 2022 | $31,437 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $17,290 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $12,451 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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 Opałka worth?

Across 139 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Roman Opałka work is $2,032. The median Roman Opałka work on paper sells for $4,181 across 30 lots. The median Roman Opałka print sells for $800 across 29 lots. The median Roman Opałka painting sells for $481,565 across 31 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Roman Opałka paintings typically sell for $62,709–$1,107,157 (the middle half of 26 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Roman Opałka work on papers typically sell for $1,285–$70,293 (the middle half of 24 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 Opałka work on paper?

Based on 30 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Roman Opałka work on paper is $4,181. 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 Roman Opałka's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Roman Opałka work on paper is $113,700. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $113,700 (buyer's premium not included).

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

Based on 29 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Roman Opałka print is $800. 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 Roman Opałka's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Roman Opałka print is $17,290.

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

Based on 31 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Roman Opałka painting is $481,565. 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 Roman Opałka's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Roman Opałka painting is $2,185,719.

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

Based on 26 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Roman Opałka painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $657,794, 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 Roman Opałka work on paper?

Based on 24 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Roman Opałka work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,916, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

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

Roman Opałka's auction record is $2,185,719, set in 2021.

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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, “Roman Opałka auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/roman-opalka (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.