> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/taryn-simon · updated 2026-11-03

# Taryn Simon (b. 1975)

## What is Taryn Simon’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 42 auction results for Taryn Simon at 8 houses since 2006. Over the last 24 months the median price was $11,768 including buyer’s premium (middle half $11,768–$51,486, n=5). The auction record is $70,400 for Agreement to develop Park Hyatt St. Kitts under the St. Kitts & Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program (2026, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Agreement to develop Park Hyatt St. Kitts under the St. Kitts & Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program, 2015 | Text panel | $70,400 | Sotheby's | Oct 2026 |
| 2 | U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Contraband Room John F. Kennedy International Airport Queens, New York (from An American Index of the Hidden and Unfamiliar), 2005 | Elixir of Life: Photographs from The Olbricht Collection | $51,486 | Sotheby's | Nov 2025 |
| 3 | Ronald Jones, Scene of arrest, South Side, Chicago, Illinois, Served 8 years of a death sentence for Rape and Murder, 2002 | Chromogenic print, in artist's frame | $25,970 | Christie's | Sep 2006 |
| 4 | Folder: Explosions, 1975 | Archival pigment print | $22,680 | Christie's | Oct 2024 |
| 5 | Larry Mayes, Scene of Arrest, The Royal Inn, Gary, Indiana, 2002 | C-Print | $20,709 | Van Ham Kunstauktionen | Jun 2021 |
| 6 | White Tiger, (Kenny), Selective Inbreeding Turpentine Creek, Wildlife Refuge and Foundation, Erika Springs, Kansas, 2006/2007, 1975 | Hand coloring | $19,556 | Christie's | May 2017 |
| 7 | Frederick Daye, Alibi location, American Legion Post 310 San Diego, California, where 13 witnesses placed Daye at the time of the crime, Served 10 years of a Life sentence for Kidnapping, Rape and Vehicle Theft, 2002 | Elixir of Life: Photographs from The Olbricht Collection | $11,768 | Sotheby's | Nov 2025 |
| 8 | Vincent Moto, Scene of arrest, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, With son Andre, who was with Moto at time of arrest, Served 8 years of a 12 to 24 year sentence for Rape, Criminal Conspiracy and Robbery, 2002 | Photographs | $11,768 | Sotheby's | Nov 2025 |
| 9 | The Central Intelligence Agency Main Entrance Hall, CIA Original Headquarters Building, Langley, Virginia, 2003-2007 | Myrrh | $10,421 | Phillips | Oct 2019 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Folder: Chiaroscurro, 2012 | Archival pigment print, in artist's frame | $21,712 | Christie's | May 2012 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 22 | $9,835 |
| Other | 12 | $8,544 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 12 | $10,924 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 22 | $7,126 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 42 results from 8 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Taryn Simon is an American artist with 53 auction lots recorded since 2006, median price $8,325. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Taryn Simon sold in 2026 for $70,400, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Taryn Simon work worth?

Across 42 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Taryn Simon work is $8,325.

The median Taryn Simon photograph sells for $8,290 across 34 lots.

The median Taryn Simon print sells for $8,763 across 6 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Taryn Simon photographs typically sell for $5,100–$9,455 (the middle half of 22 sold lots).

Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 7 | $8,763 | $21,712 | 85.7% | 2026-05-13 |
| Photography | 40 | $8,290‡ | $51,486 | 85% | 2025-11-19 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $51,486 | $70,400 | — | 2026-10-09 |

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

## Price by size

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 22 | $5,100–$9,455‡ | $6,209‡ | $51,486 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 12 | $9,403–$12,986‡ | $9,959‡ | $22,680 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2025 | $51,486 |
| Photography | 2006 | $25,970 |
| Prints & Editions | 2012 | $21,712 |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $10,421 |

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 Taryn Simon worth?

Across 42 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Taryn Simon work is $8,325. The median Taryn Simon photograph sells for $8,290 across 34 lots. The median Taryn Simon print sells for $8,763 across 6 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Taryn Simon photographs typically sell for $5,100–$9,455 (the middle half of 22 sold lots). Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Taryn Simon photograph?

Based on 34 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Taryn Simon photograph is $8,290. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Taryn Simon's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Taryn Simon photograph is $51,486.

### What is the average price of a medium Taryn Simon photograph?

Based on 22 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Taryn Simon photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $6,209, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a large Taryn Simon photograph?

Based on 12 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Taryn Simon photograph (large (over 120 cm)) is $9,959, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Taryn Simon's auction record?

Taryn Simon's auction record is $70,400, set in 2026.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Taryn Simon auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/taryn-simon (updated 2026-11-03).

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.