> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/wesley-willis · updated 2026-11-01

# Wesley Willis (1963–2003)

## What is Wesley Willis’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 86 auction results for Wesley Willis at 4 houses since 2009. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,905 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,417–$3,143, n=6). The auction record is $6,048 for World Trade Center (2023, Wright). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | World Trade Center, 1996 | Pencil | $6,048 | Wright | Sep 2023 |
| 2 | The Dan Ryan Expressway Past 39th Toward 35th St., 1991 | Pencil | $4,585 | Wright | Jul 2023 |
| 3 | The Lakefront Sept 25, 1983, 1983 | Pencil | $3,750 | Wright | Apr 2021 |
| 4 | The Shore Line, 1993 | Pencil | $3,612 | Wright | Jul 2023 |
| 5 | The Dan Ryan Expressway 51st. St., 1991 | Pencil | $3,556 | Wright | Jun 2025 |
| 6 | The Dan Ryan Expressway 51st. St., 1991 | Ballpoint pen and marker on Crescent | $3,556 | Toomey & Co. | Jun 2025 |
| 7 | The Lakefront, 1987 | Pencil | $3,510 | Toomey & Co. | May 2021 |
| 8 | The Chicago Skyline, Wells, Wentworth 51st (McDonald's), 1963 | Pencil | $3,375 | Toomey & Co. | Feb 2021 |
| 9 | Skyline of Chicago, 1987 | Pencil | $3,125 | Toomey & Co. | Feb 2021 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Lakefront | Pen and marker on poster board | $3,250 | Freeman's Hindman | Mar 2020 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Prints | 7 | $2,125 |
| Other | 76 | $1,813 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $2,080 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 77 | $1,875 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 86 results from 4 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Wesley Willis is an American artist with 93 auction lots recorded since 2009, median price $1,813. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Wesley Willis sold in 2025 for $1,905, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Wesley Willis work worth?

Across 86 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Wesley Willis work is $1,813.

The median Wesley Willis work on paper sells for $1,898 across 62 lots.

The median Wesley Willis print sells for $400 across 2 lots.

The median Wesley Willis photograph sells for $1,430 across 1 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Wesley Willis work on papers typically sell for $1,250–$2,625 (the middle half of 57 sold lots).

Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2 | $400† | $450† | — | 2016-06-12 |
| Works on Paper | 69 | $1,898 | $6,048 | 89.9% | 2025-12-11 |
| Photography | 1 | $1,430 | $1,430 | — | 2022-10-11 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $3,681 | $6,048 | — | 2025-06-18 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $1,820–$2,250 | $2,080 | $3,120 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 57 | $1,250–$2,625 | $1,890 | $6,048 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $6,048 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $4,585 |
| Photography | 2022 | $1,430 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $450† |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $350† |

† 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 Wesley Willis worth?

Across 86 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Wesley Willis work is $1,813. The median Wesley Willis work on paper sells for $1,898 across 62 lots. The median Wesley Willis print sells for $400 across 2 lots. The median Wesley Willis photograph sells for $1,430 across 1 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Wesley Willis work on papers typically sell for $1,250–$2,625 (the middle half of 57 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Wesley Willis work on paper?

Based on 62 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Wesley Willis work on paper is $1,898.

### What is Wesley Willis's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Wesley Willis work on paper is $6,048.

### What is the average price of a medium Wesley Willis work on paper?

Based on 57 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Wesley Willis work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,890, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Wesley Willis's auction record?

Wesley Willis's auction record is $6,048, set in 2023.

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Data last updated 2026-11-01. OpeningBid tracks 15,222,099 auction lots from 571 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Wesley Willis auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/wesley-willis (updated 2026-11-01).

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.