Sam Gilliam (1933–2022)
What is Sam Gilliam’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 632 auction results for Sam Gilliam at 27 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $7,984 including buyer’s premium (middle half $4,064–$25,400, n=126). The auction record is $2,429,000 for Ray II (2025, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ray II, 1970 | Acrylic on beveled edge canvas | $2,429,000 | Sotheby's | May 2025 |
| 2 | Lady Day II, 1971 | Acrylic paint | $2,172,500 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 3 | Ray II, 1970 | Acrylic on canvas, beveled edges | $1,865,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2022 |
| 4 | Atmosphere, 1972 | Acrylic paint | $1,850,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2021 |
| 5 | Last September II, 1973 | Acrylic paint | $1,778,000 | Christie's | Sep 2025 |
| 6 | Last September V, 1973 | Acrylic paint | $1,524,000 | Christie's | Nov 2025 |
| 7 | Pac, 1970 | Acrylic paint | $1,405,000 | Christie's | Nov 2019 |
| 8 | Soft Melting, 1972 | Acrylic on bevelled edge canvas | $1,250,742 | Sotheby's | Oct 2023 |
| 9 | Orion, 1972 | Acrylic paint | $1,143,000 | Sotheby's | May 2023 |
| 10 | Bubble, 1971 | Acrylic paint | $1,079,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2023 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 182 | $57,298 |
| Works on paper | 111 | $15,000 |
| Other | 128 | $9,838 |
| Prints | 161 | $3,840 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 145 | $81,250 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 343 | $7,500 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 67 | $6,985 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 632 results from 27 houses · How we compute these figures
Sam Gilliam is an American artist with 727 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $11,475. 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 Gilliam sold in 2026 for $12,160, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
11 Sam Gilliam works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Sam Gilliam free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Sam Gilliam record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Sam Gilliam on OpeningBid →What is a Sam Gilliam work worth?
Across 617 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Sam Gilliam work is $11,475.
The median Sam Gilliam print sells for $4,064 across 224 lots.
The median Sam Gilliam painting sells for $51,850 across 173 lots.
The median Sam Gilliam work on paper sells for $12,500 across 78 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Sam Gilliam prints typically sell for $2,595–$7,062 (the middle half of 192 sold lots).
Large (over 120 cm) Sam Gilliam paintings typically sell for $50,750–$373,800 (the middle half of 84 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 | 243 | $4,064† | $52,500 | 92.2% | 2026-10-01 |
| Paintings | 180 | $51,850† | $2.4M | 96.1% | 2026-06-26 |
| Works on Paper | 83 | $12,500†‡ | $325,000 | 94% | 2026-06-25 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 18 | $42,500† | $420,000 | 94.4% | 2026-07-07 |
| Photography | 3 | $22,954 | $43,750 | 66.7% | 2025-08-06 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 86 | $225,375† | $2.4M | — | 2026-10-01 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Sam Gilliam's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (243 lots) median $4,064 with 92.2% sell-through. Paintings (180 lots) median $51,850, record $2,429,000. A typical Sam Gilliam painting sells for around 13× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 86 lots) the median is $225,375.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 19 | $2,675–$10,000† | $5,000† | $22,950 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 192 | $2,595–$7,062† | $4,000† | $52,500 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $7,530–$22,625 | $10,060 | $28,600 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 15 | $10,938–$24,100 | $17,850 | $38,659 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 69 | $12,500–$76,200† | $25,000† | $412,800 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 84 | $50,750–$373,800† | $107,250† | $2.4M |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 16 | $4,064–$13,125† | $5,125† | $81,250 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 47 | $3,375–$24,475†‡ | $10,795†‡ | $93,750 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 14 | $41,025–$224,438† | $123,275† | $325,000 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 10 | $8,269–$12,405† | $10,398† | $260,574 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $46,875–$68,750 | $50,000 | $420,000 |
† 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 | 2025 | $2.4M |
| Paintings | 2018 | $2.2M |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $420,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2004 | $325,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $302,400 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2018 | $260,574 |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $52,500 |
| Photography | 2005 | $43,750 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Sam Gilliam worth?
Across 617 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Sam Gilliam work is $11,475. The median Sam Gilliam print sells for $4,064 across 224 lots. The median Sam Gilliam painting sells for $51,850 across 173 lots. The median Sam Gilliam work on paper sells for $12,500 across 78 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Sam Gilliam prints typically sell for $2,595–$7,062 (the middle half of 192 sold lots). Large (over 120 cm) Sam Gilliam paintings typically sell for $50,750–$373,800 (the middle half of 84 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 Gilliam print?
Based on 224 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Sam Gilliam print is $4,064. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Sam Gilliam's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Sam Gilliam print is $52,500.
What is the average price of a Sam Gilliam painting?
Based on 173 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Sam Gilliam painting is $51,850. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Sam Gilliam's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Sam Gilliam painting is $2,429,000.
What is the average price of a Sam Gilliam work on paper?
Based on 78 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Sam Gilliam work on paper is $12,500. 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 Gilliam's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Sam Gilliam work on paper is $325,000.
What is the average price of a medium Sam Gilliam print?
Based on 192 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Sam Gilliam print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,000, 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 Sam Gilliam painting?
Based on 84 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Sam Gilliam painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $107,250, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Sam Gilliam's auction record?
Sam Gilliam's auction record is $2,429,000, set in 2025.
See the full Sam Gilliam record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Sam Gilliam on OpeningBid →