Vija Celmins (b. 1938)
What is Vija Celmins’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 323 auction results for Vija Celmins at 19 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $12,900 including buyer’s premium (middle half $7,680–$31,875, n=37). The auction record is $7,748,000 for Untitled (Ocean) (2021, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled (Ocean), 1987 | Oil paint | $7,748,000 | Phillips | Jun 2021 |
| 2 | Lead Sea #2, 1969 | Graphite | $4,212,500 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 3 | Web #10, 2006 | Charcoal | $3,075,000 | Christie's | May 2024 |
| 4 | Untitled (Ocean), 1968 | Graphite | $3,030,000 | Christie's | Oct 2020 |
| 5 | Untitled (Night Sky #7), 1995 | Charcoal | $3,015,000 | Christie's | Nov 2019 |
| 6 | Untitled (graphite on acrylic ground on paper), 1969 | Graphite | $2,890,000 | Phillips | Nov 2016 |
| 7 | Star Field I, 1981 | Graphite | $2,412,500 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 8 | Night Sky #14, 1996-1997 | Oil paint | $2,405,000 | Christie's | Nov 2013 |
| 9 | Night Sky #3, 1991 | Oil paint | $2,405,000 | Phillips | May 2014 |
| 10 | Untitled (Divided Rectangle), 1986 | Oil paint | $2,228,000 | Christie's | May 2023 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 9 | $1,925,500 |
| Works on paper | 52 | $15,000 |
| Prints | 215 | $11,875 |
| Other | 42 | $8,750 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 85 | $22,680 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 221 | $10,080 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 323 results from 19 houses · How we compute these figures
Vija Celmins is an American artist with 349 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $11,610. 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 Vija Celmins sold in 2026 for $21,760, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
3 Vija Celmins works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Vija Celmins free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Vija Celmins record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Vija Celmins on OpeningBid →What is a Vija Celmins work worth?
Across 323 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Vija Celmins work is $11,610.
The median Vija Celmins print sells for $10,160 across 267 lots.
The median Vija Celmins work on paper sells for $1,260,000 across 19 lots.
The median Vija Celmins painting sells for $587,500 across 9 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Vija Celmins prints typically sell for $6,000–$16,510 (the middle half of 193 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Vija Celmins prints typically sell for $9,469–$31,406 (the middle half of 72 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 | 277 | $10,160‡ | $151,200 | 96.4% | 2026-10-14 |
| Paintings | 10 | $587,500 | $7.7M | 90% | 2024-03-07 |
| Works on Paper | 19 | $1.3M | $4.2M | — | 2024-05-14 |
| Photography | 8 | $6,688† | $20,154† | — | 2026-02-26 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 30 | $1.2M | $7.7M | — | 2024-10-25 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Vija Celmins's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (277 lots) median $10,160 with 96.4% sell-through. Paintings (10 lots) median $587,500, record $7,748,000. A typical Vija Celmins painting sells for around 58× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 30 lots) the median is $1,201,250.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 193 | $6,000–$16,510‡ | $9,375‡ | $106,250 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 72 | $9,469–$31,406 | $17,576 | $151,200 |
‡ 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) | 6 | $343,680–$1.8M | $559,375 | $7.7M |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $778,832–$1.6M | $1.1M | $3M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $1M–$3M | $1.8M | $4.2M |
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $4,732–$12,288 | $6,300 | $20,000 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2021 | $7.7M |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $4.2M |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $3.1M |
| Paintings | 2013 | $2.4M |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $151,200 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $106,250 |
| Photography | 2018 | $20,154† |
| Photography | 2018 | $20,000 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Vija Celmins worth?
Across 323 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Vija Celmins work is $11,610. The median Vija Celmins print sells for $10,160 across 267 lots. The median Vija Celmins work on paper sells for $1,260,000 across 19 lots. The median Vija Celmins painting sells for $587,500 across 9 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Vija Celmins prints typically sell for $6,000–$16,510 (the middle half of 193 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Vija Celmins prints typically sell for $9,469–$31,406 (the middle half of 72 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 Vija Celmins print?
Based on 267 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Vija Celmins print is $10,160. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Vija Celmins's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Vija Celmins print is $151,200.
What is the average price of a Vija Celmins work on paper?
Based on 19 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Vija Celmins work on paper is $1,260,000.
What is Vija Celmins's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Vija Celmins work on paper is $4,212,500.
What is the average price of a small Vija Celmins print?
Based on 193 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Vija Celmins print (small (under 50 cm)) is $9,375, 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 medium Vija Celmins print?
Based on 72 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Vija Celmins print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $17,576, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Vija Celmins's auction record?
Vija Celmins's auction record is $7,748,000, set in 2021.
See the full Vija Celmins record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Vija Celmins on OpeningBid →