> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/will-barnet · updated 2026-11-02

# Will Barnet (1911–2012)

## What is Will Barnet’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 428 auction results for Will Barnet at 33 houses since 1989. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,250 including buyer’s premium (middle half $693–$2,040, n=61). The auction record is $95,625 for The Green Parrott (2025, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Green Parrott, 1911 | Painting | $95,625 | Bonhams | Jun 2025 |
| 2 | Ona, 1965 | Oil on canvas | $57,600 | Freeman's Hindman | Dec 2025 |
| 3 | Squirrels, 1985 | Oil on canvas | $48,260 | Sotheby's | May 2025 |
| 4 | Old Man's Afternoon, 1975 | Painting | $37,500 | Wright | Oct 2020 |
| 5 | Totem, 1979 | Painting | $33,020 | Sotheby's | Mar 2022 |
| 6 | Sleep Walk, 1979 | Painting | $25,200 | Rago Arts | May 2024 |
| 7 | Mother and Child Reading | Mixed media on paper | $25,000 | Sotheby's | Mar 2008 |
| 8 | Portrait of Henry Pearson, 1966 | Oil on canvas | $21,590 | Sotheby's | Feb 2025 |
| 9 | The Walk, 1985 | Oil on canvas | $19,200 | Sotheby's | Oct 2024 |
| 10 | Woman on Stairs, 1982 | Oil and gouache and pencil on imitation vellum | $18,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2010 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 18 | $14,783 |
| Other | 10 | $2,924 |
| Works on paper | 64 | $2,805 |
| Prints | 254 | $960 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 19 | $5,200 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 129 | $1,200 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 178 | $1,073 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 428 results from 33 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Will Barnet is an American artist with 513 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $1,044. 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 Will Barnet sold in 2026 for a hammer price of $3,000 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**5 Will Barnet works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Will Barnet on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/will-barnet?ref=kg:will-barnet) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Will Barnet work worth?

Across 413 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Will Barnet work is $1,044.

The median Will Barnet print sells for $900 across 312 lots.

The median Will Barnet work on paper sells for $3,055 across 68 lots.

The median Will Barnet painting sells for $12,065 across 19 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Will Barnet prints typically sell for $474–$1,375 (the middle half of 181 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Will Barnet prints typically sell for $550–$1,375 (the middle half of 117 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 | 335 | $900†‡ | $5,000 | 93.1% | 2026-10-24 |
| Paintings | 21 | $12,065 | $95,625 | 90.5% | 2026-09-17 |
| Works on Paper | 70 | $3,055 | $18,000 | 97.1% | 2026-09-17 |
| Photography | 1 | $450† | $450† | — | 2016-04-30 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 22 | $15,625 | $95,625 | — | 2026-09-17 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Will Barnet's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (335 lots) median $900 with 93.1% sell-through. Paintings (21 lots) median $12,065, record $95,625. A typical Will Barnet painting sells for around 13× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 22 lots) the median is $15,625.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 117 | $550–$1,375†‡ | $975†‡ | $4,750 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 181 | $474–$1,375†‡ | $768†‡ | $5,000 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $11,974–$22,492 | $18,350 | $95,625 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $5,500–$42,880 | $33,020 | $57,600 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 27 | $1,072–$2,438 | $1,875 | $7,040 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 29 | $2,340–$6,250 | $3,750 | $18,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $3,690–$5,735 | $4,400 | $11,250 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2025 | $95,625 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $57,600 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $18,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $13,750 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $5,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $4,750 |
| Photography | 2016 | $450† |

† 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 Will Barnet worth?

Across 413 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Will Barnet work is $1,044. The median Will Barnet print sells for $900 across 312 lots. The median Will Barnet work on paper sells for $3,055 across 68 lots. The median Will Barnet painting sells for $12,065 across 19 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Will Barnet prints typically sell for $474–$1,375 (the middle half of 181 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Will Barnet prints typically sell for $550–$1,375 (the middle half of 117 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 Will Barnet print?

Based on 312 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Will Barnet print is $900. 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 Will Barnet's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Will Barnet print is $5,000.

### What is the average price of a Will Barnet work on paper?

Based on 68 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Will Barnet work on paper is $3,055.

### What is Will Barnet's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Will Barnet work on paper is $18,000.

### What is the average price of a Will Barnet painting?

Based on 19 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Will Barnet painting is $12,065.

### What is Will Barnet's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Will Barnet painting is $95,625.

### What is the average price of a medium Will Barnet print?

Based on 181 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Will Barnet print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $768, 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 small Will Barnet print?

Based on 117 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Will Barnet print (small (under 50 cm)) is $975, 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 Will Barnet's auction record?

Will Barnet's auction record is $95,625, set in 2025.

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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, “Will Barnet auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/will-barnet (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.