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

# Takao Tanabe (b. 1926)

Takao Tanabe is a Canadian artist with 65 auction lots recorded since 2007, median price $4,554. 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 Takao Tanabe sold in 2021 for $28,571, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**2 Takao Tanabe works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Takao Tanabe on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/takao-tanabe?ref=kg:takao-tanabe) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Takao Tanabe work worth?

Across 57 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Takao Tanabe work is $4,554.

The median Takao Tanabe painting sells for $17,253 across 24 lots.

The median Takao Tanabe print sells for $837 across 22 lots.

The median Takao Tanabe work on paper sells for $3,731 across 9 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 | 22 | $837† | $2,565 | — | 2026-04-21 |
| Paintings | 24 | $17,253‡ | $74,564 | — | 2021-11-18 |
| Works on Paper | 9 | $3,731† | $4,554 | — | 2026-06-09 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Takao Tanabe's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (22 lots) median $837. Paintings (24 lots) median $17,253, record $74,564. A typical Takao Tanabe painting sells for around 21× the price of a typical print.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $588–$2,126 | $1,085 | $2,565 |

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $19,569–$27,440‡ | $22,513‡ | $74,564 |

‡ 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 | 2021 | $74,564 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $28,571 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $4,554 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $2,909† |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $2,565 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $2,126 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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 Takao Tanabe worth?

Across 57 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Takao Tanabe work is $4,554. The median Takao Tanabe painting sells for $17,253 across 24 lots. The median Takao Tanabe print sells for $837 across 22 lots. The median Takao Tanabe work on paper sells for $3,731 across 9 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 Takao Tanabe painting?

Based on 24 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Takao Tanabe painting is $17,253. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Takao Tanabe's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Takao Tanabe painting is $74,564.

### What is the average price of a Takao Tanabe print?

Based on 22 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Takao Tanabe print is $837. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Takao Tanabe's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Takao Tanabe print is $2,565.

### What is Takao Tanabe's auction record?

Takao Tanabe's auction record is $74,564, 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, “Takao Tanabe auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/takao-tanabe (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.