> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/romare-howard-bearden · updated 2026-11-02

# Romare Howard Bearden (1911–1988)

## What is Romare Howard Bearden’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 210 auction results for Romare Howard Bearden at 16 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $6,806 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,429–$14,605, n=10). The auction record is $185,000 for Girl in a Garden (2021, Swann Auction Galleries). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Girl in a Garden, 1972 | Collage of various papers and printed fabrics, with ink and surface abrasion, mounted on masonite board | $185,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2021 |
| 2 | Conjur Woman, 1971 | Mixed media collage on board | $165,100 | Sotheby's | May 2023 |
| 3 | The Annunciation, 1946 | Oil on linen | $125,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Dec 2015 |
| 4 | Wine Star, 1959 | Oil on linen | $125,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Dec 2015 |
| 5 | Aphrodite, 1973 | Pencil and ink, on board | $106,250 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2020 |
| 6 | Untitled (Sermons: In that Number) | — | $95,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Mar 2006 |
| 7 | In the Garden, 1978 | Acrylic, cloth, and paper collage on paper affixed to board | $93,750 | Grogan & Company | Nov 2020 |
| 8 | Untitled (Melon Season) | — | $90,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Mar 2006 |
| 9 | Wine Star, 1965 | Oil on linen | $87,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2023 |
| 10 | Jazz Men, 1972 | Acrylic and pencil on masonite | $63,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2026 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 6 | $60,000 |
| Works on paper | 23 | $10,625 |
| Prints | 130 | $5,000 |
| Other | 23 | $4,600 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 32 | $6,500 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 123 | $5,250 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 210 results from 16 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Romare Howard Bearden is an American artist with 274 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $5,018. 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 Romare Howard Bearden sold in 2026 for $5,842, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Romare Howard Bearden work worth?

Across 208 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Romare Howard Bearden work is $5,018.

The median Romare Howard Bearden print sells for $4,400 across 167 lots.

The median Romare Howard Bearden work on paper sells for $16,590 across 29 lots.

The median Romare Howard Bearden painting sells for $60,000 across 6 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Romare Howard Bearden prints typically sell for $2,600–$6,500 (the middle half of 123 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 | 205 | $4,400†‡ | $95,000 | 81.5% | 2026-04-02 |
| Paintings | 7 | $60,000† | $125,000 | 85.7% | 2023-04-06 |
| Works on Paper | 35 | $16,590†‡ | $185,000 | 82.9% | 2026-04-02 |
| Photography | 1 | $2,200 | $2,200 | — | 1994-12-01 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 11 | $106,250‡ | $185,000 | — | 2026-04-02 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Romare Howard Bearden's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (205 lots) median $4,400 with 81.5% sell-through. Paintings (7 lots) median $60,000, record $125,000. A typical Romare Howard Bearden painting sells for around 14× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 11 lots) the median is $106,250.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 19 | $2,712–$6,500 | $3,750 | $32,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 123 | $2,600–$6,500†‡ | $4,500†‡ | $27,500 |

† 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) | 13 | $8,750–$60,000†‡ | $18,000†‡ | $165,100 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 14 | $6,500–$26,750† | $12,500† | $185,000 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $185,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $165,100 |
| Paintings | 2015 | $125,000 |
| Paintings | 2015 | $125,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2006 | $95,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2006 | $90,000 |
| Photography | 1994 | $2,200 |

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 Howard Bearden worth?

Across 208 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Romare Howard Bearden work is $5,018. The median Romare Howard Bearden print sells for $4,400 across 167 lots. The median Romare Howard Bearden work on paper sells for $16,590 across 29 lots. The median Romare Howard Bearden painting sells for $60,000 across 6 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Romare Howard Bearden prints typically sell for $2,600–$6,500 (the middle half of 123 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 Romare Howard Bearden print?

Based on 167 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Romare Howard Bearden print is $4,400. 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 Romare Howard Bearden's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Romare Howard Bearden print is $95,000.

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

Based on 29 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Romare Howard Bearden work on paper is $16,590. 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 Romare Howard Bearden's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Romare Howard Bearden work on paper is $185,000.

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

Based on 123 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Romare Howard Bearden print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,500, 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 Romare Howard Bearden print?

Based on 19 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Romare Howard Bearden print (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,750, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

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

Romare Howard Bearden's auction record is $185,000, 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, “Romare Howard Bearden auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/romare-howard-bearden (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.