Whanki Kim (1913–1974)
What is Whanki Kim’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 751 auction results for Whanki Kim at 7 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $40,827 including buyer’s premium (middle half $15,589–$174,002, n=42). The auction record is $13,029,972 for 05-IV-71 #200 (Universe) (2019, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 05-IV-71 #200 (Universe), 1971 | Oil paint | $13,029,972 | Christie's | Nov 2019 |
| 2 | 19-VI-71 #206, 1971 | Oil paint | $10,295,000 | Christie's | Nov 2025 |
| 3 | 9-XII-71 #216, 1971 | Oil paint | $7,203,513 | Christie's | Sep 2024 |
| 4 | Moon, Plum Blossoms and Bird, 1959 | 캔버스에 유채 | $2,476,541 | K-Auction | May 2018 |
| 5 | Montagne Bleue (Blue Mountain), 1956 | Oil paint | $1,785,082 | Christie's | May 2015 |
| 6 | L'Oiseau et la Lune, 1956 | Oil on canvas | $1,622,881 | K-Auction | Jul 2018 |
| 7 | 4-X-69 #121, 1969 | Oil on cotton | $1,554,898 | Christie's | Nov 2016 |
| 8 | Clair de Lune, 1954 | Oil on canvas | $1,499,241 | K-Auction | Nov 2025 |
| 9 | North West 30-VIII-65, 1965 | Oil on canvas | $1,416,521 | K-Auction | Jan 2023 |
| 10 | Mountain, 1955 | Oil on canvas | $1,280,130 | K-Auction | Dec 2025 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 56 | $385,636 |
| Works on paper | 52 | $35,653 |
| Other | 8 | $675 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $699,892 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 64 | $122,259 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 45 | $28,068 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 751 results from 7 houses · How we compute these figures
Whanki Kim is a Korean artist with 795 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $38,073. 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 Whanki Kim is recorded as sold in 2026 for $264,049; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Whanki Kim record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Whanki Kim on OpeningBid →What is a Whanki Kim work worth?
Across 751 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Whanki Kim work is $38,073.
The median Whanki Kim work on paper sells for $20,605 across 262 lots.
The median Whanki Kim painting sells for $264,049 across 258 lots.
The median Whanki Kim print sells for $809 across 121 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Whanki Kim work on papers typically sell for $9,460–$32,857 (the middle half of 236 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Whanki Kim paintings typically sell for $111,790–$471,240 (the middle half of 184 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 | 129 | $809†‡ | $14,526 | 93.8% | 2026-02-05 |
| Paintings | 261 | $264,049†‡ | $13M | — | 2026-04-15 |
| Works on Paper | 289 | $20,605†‡ | $653,527‡ | 90.7% | 2026-05-15 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 257 | $312,567†‡ | $13M | — | 2026-04-15 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Whanki Kim's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (129 lots) median $809 with 93.8% sell-through. Paintings (261 lots) median $264,049, record $13,029,972. A typical Whanki Kim painting sells for around 326× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 257 lots) the median is $312,567.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $965–$10,768†‡ | $7,732†‡ | $14,526 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 115 | $634–$1,233†‡ | $799†‡ | $12,957† |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ 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) | 35 | $99,544–$270,007†‡ | $172,451†‡ | $1.1M† |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 184 | $111,790–$471,240†‡ | $247,670†‡ | $13M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 38 | $465,132–$2M†‡ | $1.1M†‡ | $10.3M |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 236 | $9,460–$32,857†‡ | $18,273†‡ | $653,527‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 24 | $49,093–$155,582†‡ | $102,204†‡ | $219,436† |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ 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 | 2019 | $13M |
| Paintings | 2025 | $10.3M |
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $653,527‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $219,436† |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $14,526 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $12,957† |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Whanki Kim worth?
Across 751 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Whanki Kim work is $38,073. The median Whanki Kim work on paper sells for $20,605 across 262 lots. The median Whanki Kim painting sells for $264,049 across 258 lots. The median Whanki Kim print sells for $809 across 121 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Whanki Kim work on papers typically sell for $9,460–$32,857 (the middle half of 236 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Whanki Kim paintings typically sell for $111,790–$471,240 (the middle half of 184 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 Whanki Kim work on paper?
Based on 262 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Whanki Kim work on paper is $20,605. 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 Whanki Kim's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Whanki Kim work on paper is $653,527. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a Whanki Kim painting?
Based on 258 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Whanki Kim painting is $264,049. 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 Whanki Kim's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Whanki Kim painting is $13,029,972.
What is the average price of a Whanki Kim print?
Based on 121 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Whanki Kim print is $809. 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 Whanki Kim's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Whanki Kim print is $14,526.
What is the average price of a small Whanki Kim work on paper?
Based on 236 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Whanki Kim work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $18,273, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 medium Whanki Kim painting?
Based on 184 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Whanki Kim painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $247,670, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 Whanki Kim's auction record?
Whanki Kim's auction record is $13,029,972, set in 2019.
See the full Whanki Kim record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Whanki Kim on OpeningBid →