> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/w-eugene-smith · updated 2026-11-02

# W. Eugene Smith (1918–1978)

## What is W. Eugene Smith’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 234 auction results for W. Eugene Smith at 12 houses since 1999. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,389 including buyer’s premium (middle half $682–$2,730, n=54). The auction record is $98,500 for A Portfolio of Ten Photographs (2011, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tomoko in her bath, Minamata, 1972 | Gelatin silver print | $52,920 | Sotheby's | Oct 2021 |
| 2 | The Walk to Paradise Garden, 1960 | Gelatin silver print, mounted on original board | $52,500 | Christie's | Oct 2016 |
| 3 | 'THE WALK TO PARADISE GARDEN' | — | $50,400 | Sotheby's | Apr 2007 |
| 4 | The Walk to Paradise Garden, 1946 | Gelatin silver print, mounted on board | $40,640 | Christie's | Apr 2026 |
| 5 | The Walk to Paradise Garden, 1970 | Cartes-de-visite | $37,500 | Christie's | Apr 2019 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Portfolio of Ten Photographs, 1918 | A Portfolio of Ten Photographs | $98,500 | Christie's | Apr 2011 |
| 2 | The Walk to Paradise Garden, 1946 | Pencil | $40,800 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2012 |
| 3 | The Walk to Paradise Garden, 1918 | Gelatin silver print, mounted on board | $40,640 | Christie's | Apr 2026 |
| 4 | The Walk to Paradise Garden, 1918 | Gelatin silver print, mounted on board, printed later | $35,280 | Christie's | Apr 2025 |
| 5 | The Walk to Paradise Garden, 1918 | Wool | $32,500 | Christie's | Apr 2018 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 43 | $5,250 |
| Photographs | 182 | $4,000 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 5 | $7,500 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 207 | $4,080 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 234 results from 12 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


W. Eugene Smith is an American artist with 397 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $4,080. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by W. Eugene Smith sold in 2026 for $19,200, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a W. Eugene Smith work worth?

Across 233 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a W. Eugene Smith work is $4,080.

The median W. Eugene Smith photograph sells for $4,032 across 213 lots.

The median W. Eugene Smith print sells for $2,286 across 7 lots.

The median W. Eugene Smith work on paper sells for $4,112 across 5 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) W. Eugene Smith photographs typically sell for $2,040–$8,190 (the middle half of 197 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 | $2,286 | $8,125 | — | 2026-10-15 |
| Works on Paper | 5 | $4,112 | $13,750 | — | 2013-04-05 |
| Photography | 244 | $4,032‡ | $98,500 | 87.3% | 2026-10-09 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 12 | $40,640 | $98,500 | — | 2026-04-17 |

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

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $2,096–$4,452 | $2,921 | $8,125 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $2,750–$4,800 | $4,112 | $13,750 |

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 197 | $2,040–$8,190‡ | $4,080‡ | $98,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $7,500–$12,500 | $7,500 | $20,400 |

‡ 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 | 2011 | $98,500 |
| Photography | 2021 | $52,920 |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $13,750 |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $8,125 |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $4,800 |
| Prints & Editions | 2013 | $4,750 |

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 W. Eugene Smith worth?

Across 233 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a W. Eugene Smith work is $4,080. The median W. Eugene Smith photograph sells for $4,032 across 213 lots. The median W. Eugene Smith print sells for $2,286 across 7 lots. The median W. Eugene Smith work on paper sells for $4,112 across 5 lots. Small (under 50 cm) W. Eugene Smith photographs typically sell for $2,040–$8,190 (the middle half of 197 sold lots). Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a W. Eugene Smith photograph?

Based on 213 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a W. Eugene Smith photograph is $4,032. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is W. Eugene Smith's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a W. Eugene Smith photograph is $98,500.

### What is the average price of a small W. Eugene Smith photograph?

Based on 197 sold lots, the median auction price of a small W. Eugene Smith photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $4,080, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is W. Eugene Smith's auction record?

W. Eugene Smith's auction record is $98,500, set in 2011.

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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, “W. Eugene Smith auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/w-eugene-smith (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.