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

# Whanki Kim (1913–1974)

## What is Whanki Kim’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 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.

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

| # | 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 | 22-X-73 #325, 1973 | Oil on cotton | $3,098,104 | K-Auction | Nov 2018 |
| 5 | Moon, Plum Blossoms and Bird, 1959 | 캔버스에 유채 | $2,476,541 | K-Auction | May 2018 |
| 6 | Montagne Bleue (Blue Mountain), 1956 | Oil paint | $1,785,082 | Christie's | May 2015 |
| 7 | L'Oiseau et la Lune, 1956 | Oil on canvas | $1,622,881 | K-Auction | Jul 2018 |
| 8 | 4-X-69 #121, 1969 | Oil on cotton | $1,554,898 | Christie's | Nov 2016 |
| 9 | Clair de Lune, 1954 | Oil on canvas | $1,499,241 | K-Auction | Nov 2025 |
| 10 | Birds and the Moon, 1958 | Oil on canvas | $1,449,625 | K-Auction | Dec 2022 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 60 | $385,636 |
| Works on paper | 56 | $35,091 |
| Other | 12 | $1,021 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 10 | $1,058,207 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 71 | $112,908 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 49 | $28,068 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 751 results from 7 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Whanki Kim is a Korean artist with 795 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $38,285. 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.

## What is a Whanki Kim work worth?

Across 751 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Whanki Kim work is $38,285.

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 | $312,887†‡ | $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 $312,887.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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 $38,285. 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.

---

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

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Whanki Kim auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/whanki-kim (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.