> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/romare-bearden · updated 2026-11-03

# Romare Bearden (1911–1988)

Romare Bearden is an American artist with 265 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $2,600. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Romare Bearden sold in 2026 for a hammer price of $3,250 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Romare Bearden work worth?

Across 228 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Romare Bearden work is $2,600.

The median Romare Bearden print sells for $2,250 across 189 lots.

The median Romare Bearden work on paper sells for $11,532 across 18 lots.

The median Romare Bearden photograph sells for $3,220 across 8 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Romare Bearden prints typically sell for $1,315–$3,680 (the middle half of 148 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Romare Bearden prints typically sell for $1,840–$5,060 (the middle half of 21 sold lots).

Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 195 | $2,250† | $34,199 | 96.9% | 2026-08-12 |
| Paintings | 2 | $420,100 | $770,200 | — | 2020-10-02 |
| Works on Paper | 19 | $11,532† | $301,993 | 94.7% | 2025-10-07 |
| Photography | 8 | $3,220 | $19,518 | — | 2015-07-22 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 12 | $81,250 | $770,200 | — | 2022-05-11 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Romare Bearden's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (195 lots) median $2,250 with 96.9% sell-through. Paintings (2 lots) median $420,100, record $770,200. A typical Romare Bearden painting sells for around 187× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 12 lots) the median is $81,250.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 21 | $1,840–$5,060 | $3,200 | $8,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 148 | $1,315–$3,680† | $2,300† | $34,199 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $7,112–$92,500† | $14,950† | $99,653 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $5,200–$14,000 | $8,500 | $301,993 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $2,530–$7,366 | $3,220 | $19,518 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2020 | $770,200 |
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $301,993 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $138,600 |
| Paintings | 2005 | $70,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2003 | $34,199 |
| Photography | 2015 | $19,518 |
| Prints & Editions | 2004 | $17,339 |
| Photography | 2004 | $9,103 |

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 Romare Bearden worth?

Across 228 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Romare Bearden work is $2,600. The median Romare Bearden print sells for $2,250 across 189 lots. The median Romare Bearden work on paper sells for $11,532 across 18 lots. The median Romare Bearden photograph sells for $3,220 across 8 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Romare Bearden prints typically sell for $1,315–$3,680 (the middle half of 148 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Romare Bearden prints typically sell for $1,840–$5,060 (the middle half of 21 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Romare Bearden print?

Based on 189 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Romare Bearden print is $2,250. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Romare Bearden's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Romare Bearden print is $34,199.

### What is the average price of a Romare Bearden work on paper?

Based on 18 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Romare Bearden work on paper is $11,532. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Romare Bearden's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Romare Bearden work on paper is $301,993.

### What is the average price of a medium Romare Bearden print?

Based on 148 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Romare Bearden print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,300, 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 small Romare Bearden print?

Based on 21 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Romare Bearden print (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,200, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Romare Bearden's auction record?

Romare Bearden's auction record is $770,200, set in 2020.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Romare Bearden auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/romare-bearden (updated 2026-11-03).

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.