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

# Shirley Jaffe (1923–2016)

## What is Shirley Jaffe’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 64 auction results for Shirley Jaffe at 14 houses since 2005. Over the last 24 months the median price was $9,788 including buyer’s premium (middle half $776–$13,765, n=28). The auction record is $374,674 for La Basilique (2025, Artcurial). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Basilique, 1994 | Huile sur toile | $374,674 | Artcurial | Jun 2025 |
| 2 | Swinging, 2012 | Huile sur toile | $127,389 | Artcurial | Jun 2025 |
| 3 | The Golden Edge, 1982 | Oil paint | $126,248 | Christie's | Sep 2024 |
| 4 | Nuit d'Hiver, 1960 | Oil on canvas | $94,860 | Galerie Kornfeld Auktionen Bern | Sep 2020 |
| 5 | Pile ou Face, 2013 | Painting | $82,421 | Galerie Bernaerts | Sep 2022 |
| 6 | Whirling Dervish ou Indian Flight, 1986 | Lin | $73,103 | Artcurial | Dec 2014 |
| 7 | Witch's Brother, 1982 | Signée | $61,267 | Artcurial | May 2017 |
| 8 | On the quai, 2006 | Huile sur toile | $60,567 | Christie's | Oct 2017 |
| 9 | Triangle II, 1992 | Huile sur toile | $50,428 | Artcurial | Dec 2018 |
| 10 | PINK AND BLUE SQUARES IN YELLOW, 1976 | Signée et datée au dos "Shirley Jaffe | $37,091 | Artcurial | Nov 2017 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 20 | $33,283 |
| Works on paper | 20 | $12,136 |
| Prints | 11 | $879 |
| Other | 7 | $447 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 19 | $10,838 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 19 | $1,542 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 64 results from 14 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Shirley Jaffe is an American artist with 69 auction lots recorded since 2005, median price $11,566. 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 Shirley Jaffe sold in 2025 for $20,400, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**3 Shirley Jaffe works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Shirley Jaffe on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/shirley-jaffe?ref=kg:shirley-jaffe) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Shirley Jaffe work worth?

Across 63 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Shirley Jaffe work is $11,566.

The median Shirley Jaffe painting sells for $28,475 across 23 lots.

The median Shirley Jaffe work on paper sells for $10,200 across 17 lots.

The median Shirley Jaffe print sells for $975 across 4 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 | 4 | $975 | $1,542 | — | 2025-07-02 |
| Paintings | 23 | $28,475†‡ | $374,674 | — | 2025-07-31 |
| Works on Paper | 17 | $10,200 | $25,803 | — | 2026-06-10 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $126,819 | $374,674 | — | 2025-06-05 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Shirley Jaffe's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (4 lots) median $975. Paintings (23 lots) median $28,475, record $374,674. A typical Shirley Jaffe painting sells for around 29× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 4 lots) the median is $126,819.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $7,800–$25,905‡ | $20,206‡ | $29,476 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $18,216–$68,167 | $22,265 | $126,248 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $60,567–$127,389† | $94,860† | $374,674 |

† 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) | 11 | $9,675–$14,243 | $10,200 | $20,400 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2025 | $374,674 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $127,389 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $25,803 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $21,859 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $1,542 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $1,522 |

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 Shirley Jaffe worth?

Across 63 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Shirley Jaffe work is $11,566. The median Shirley Jaffe painting sells for $28,475 across 23 lots. The median Shirley Jaffe work on paper sells for $10,200 across 17 lots. The median Shirley Jaffe print sells for $975 across 4 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 Shirley Jaffe painting?

Based on 23 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Shirley Jaffe painting is $28,475. 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 Shirley Jaffe's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Shirley Jaffe painting is $374,674.

### What is the average price of a Shirley Jaffe work on paper?

Based on 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Shirley Jaffe work on paper is $10,200.

### What is Shirley Jaffe's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Shirley Jaffe work on paper is $25,803.

### What is the average price of a small Shirley Jaffe work on paper?

Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Shirley Jaffe work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $10,200, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Shirley Jaffe's auction record?

Shirley Jaffe's auction record is $374,674, set in 2025.

---

Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Shirley Jaffe auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/shirley-jaffe (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.