Sam Francis (1923–1994)
What is Sam Francis’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 3,698 auction results for Sam Francis at 94 houses since 1996. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,352 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,653–$22,838, n=446). The auction record is $13,557,500 for Composition in Blue and Black (2022, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Composition in Blue and Black, 1955 | Oil paint | $13,557,500 | Christie's | Nov 2022 |
| 2 | Red No. 1, 1953 | Oil paint | $6,780,000 | Christie's | Nov 2022 |
| 3 | Middle Blue, 1957 | Oil paint | $6,354,500 | Christie's | May 2010 |
| 4 | Black, 1955 | Oil paint | $5,193,000 | Christie's | May 2008 |
| 5 | Red and Pink, 1950-51 | Oil paint | $4,869,000 | Christie's | Nov 2014 |
| 6 | Untitled (oil on canvas), 1958 | Oil paint | $4,603,750 | Christie's | May 2013 |
| 7 | Red No. 1, 1953 | Oil paint | $4,421,000 | Christie's | May 2016 |
| 8 | Violet, Yellow and White, 1958 | Oil paint | $4,002,500 | Christie's | Nov 2012 |
| 9 | Why Then Opened II, 1962 | Acrylic paint | $3,831,500 | Christie's | May 2017 |
| 10 | Grey, 1954 | Oil paint | $3,666,500 | Christie's | May 2009 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 668 | $56,735 |
| Works on paper | 360 | $35,462 |
| Other | 257 | $28,260 |
| Prints | 1,611 | $3,125 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 425 | $21,250 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 549 | $15,240 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 1,704 | $4,676 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 3,698 results from 94 houses · How we compute these figures
Sam Francis is an American artist with 4,790 auction lots recorded since 1990, median price $5,625. 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 Sam Francis is recorded as sold in 2026 for $6,057; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
8 Sam Francis works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Sam Francis free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Sam Francis record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Sam Francis on OpeningBid →What is a Sam Francis work worth?
Across 3,670 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Sam Francis work is $5,625.
The median Sam Francis print sells for $2,756 across 2,148 lots.
The median Sam Francis painting sells for $48,832 across 751 lots.
The median Sam Francis work on paper sells for $35,847 across 448 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Sam Francis prints typically sell for $1,625–$5,009 (the middle half of 1,574 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Sam Francis paintings typically sell for $32,500–$96,826 (the middle half of 274 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 | 2,717 | $2,756†‡ | $186,379 | 79.1% | 2026-10-25 |
| Paintings | 875 | $48,832†‡ | $13.6M | 85.8% | 2026-10-08 |
| Works on Paper | 494 | $35,847†‡ | $1.1M | 90.7% | 2026-10-01 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2 | $8,667‡ | $8,667‡ | 50% | 2020-06-10 |
| Photography | 3 | $217† | $30,480 | — | 2024-03-04 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 355 | $239,400‡ | $13.6M | — | 2026-10-01 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Sam Francis's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (2,717 lots) median $2,756 with 79.1% sell-through. Paintings (875 lots) median $48,832, record $13,557,500. A typical Sam Francis painting sells for around 18× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 355 lots) the median is $239,400.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 167 | $1,197–$2,999†‡ | $2,000†‡ | $186,379 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 1,574 | $1,625–$5,009†‡ | $2,758†‡ | $78,111 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 225 | $2,908–$9,450†‡ | $5,100†‡ | $113,680 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 256 | $12,500–$33,081†‡ | $21,258†‡ | $552,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 274 | $32,500–$96,826†‡ | $50,625†‡ | $2.2M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 167 | $172,869–$583,714†‡ | $305,000†‡ | $13.6M |
† 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) | 197 | $11,430–$35,280†‡ | $19,193†‡ | $187,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 208 | $29,043–$127,375†‡ | $60,583†‡ | $1.1M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 25 | $81,900–$223,392 | $139,700 | $638,063 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2022 | $13.6M |
| Paintings | 2022 | $6.8M |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $1.1M |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $762,815 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $186,379 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $113,680 |
| Photography | 2024 | $30,480 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2020 | $8,667‡ |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Sam Francis worth?
Across 3,670 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Sam Francis work is $5,625. The median Sam Francis print sells for $2,756 across 2,148 lots. The median Sam Francis painting sells for $48,832 across 751 lots. The median Sam Francis work on paper sells for $35,847 across 448 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Sam Francis prints typically sell for $1,625–$5,009 (the middle half of 1,574 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Sam Francis paintings typically sell for $32,500–$96,826 (the middle half of 274 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 Sam Francis print?
Based on 2,148 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Sam Francis print is $2,756. 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 Sam Francis's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Sam Francis print is $186,379.
What is the average price of a Sam Francis painting?
Based on 751 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Sam Francis painting is $48,832. 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 Sam Francis's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Sam Francis painting is $13,557,500.
What is the average price of a Sam Francis work on paper?
Based on 448 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Sam Francis work on paper is $35,847. 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 Sam Francis's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Sam Francis work on paper is $1,140,000.
What is the average price of a medium Sam Francis print?
Based on 1,574 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Sam Francis print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,758, 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 Sam Francis painting?
Based on 274 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Sam Francis painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $50,625, 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 Sam Francis's auction record?
Sam Francis's auction record is $13,557,500, set in 2022.
See the full Sam Francis record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Sam Francis on OpeningBid →