> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-j-o-brien · updated 2026-11-03

# William J. O'Brien (b. 1975)

## What is William J. O'Brien’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 33 auction results for William J. O'Brien at 7 houses since 2018. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,270 including buyer’s premium (middle half $408–$3,328, n=17). The auction record is $16,640 for Untitled (glazed ceramic) (2026, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled (glazed ceramic), 2013 | Glazed ceramic | $16,640 | Sotheby's | Jun 2026 |
| 2 | Untitled (coloured pencil and ink on paper), 2015 | Coloured pencil and ink on paper | $11,817 | Phillips | Apr 2023 |
| 3 | Untitled (Dot painting), 2016 | Ink | $11,430 | Wright | Feb 2026 |
| 4 | Untitled (colored pencil and ink on paper), 2007 | Ink | $6,350 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Apr 2025 |
| 5 | Untitled (glazed ceramic), 2012 | Glazed ceramic | $5,376 | Sotheby's | Jun 2026 |
| 6 | Untitled (ink on paper), 2014 | Ink on paper | $5,334 | Sotheby's | Mar 2024 |
| 7 | Untitled (color pencil on paper), 2009 | Color pencil on paper | $5,000 | Christie's | Dec 2018 |
| 8 | Untitled (colored pencil and ink on paper), 2007 | Ink | $3,780 | Wright | Feb 2024 |
| 9 | Red Face, 2011 | Stainless steel | $3,528 | Wright | May 2024 |
| 10 | Untitled (colored pencil and ink on paper), 2007 | Colored pencil and ink on paper | $3,328 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Jun 2026 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 11 | $3,780 |
| Sculpture | 17 | $1,270 |
| Other | 5 | $357 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $5,842 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 7 | $1,260 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 20 | $983 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 33 results from 7 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


William J. O'Brien is an American artist with 43 auction lots recorded since 2018, median price $1,270.

A work by William J. O'Brien sold in 2026 for $3,328, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a William J. O'Brien work worth?

Across 33 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William J. O'Brien work is $1,270.

The median William J. O'Brien work on paper sells for $3,780 across 11 lots.

The median William J. O'Brien sculpture sells for $2,394 across 2 lots.

The median William J. O'Brien painting sells for $408 across 1 lots.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 1 | $408 | $408 | — | 2025-02-12 |
| Works on Paper | 16 | $3,780 | $11,817 | 68.8% | 2026-06-10 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2 | $2,394 | $3,528 | — | 2025-07-18 |

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $630–$3,328 | $1,020 | $3,780 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $5,084–$10,160 | $5,842 | $11,817 |

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 | $11,817 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $11,430 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2024 | $3,528 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $1,260 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $408 |

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 William J. O'Brien worth?

Across 33 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William J. O'Brien work is $1,270. The median William J. O'Brien work on paper sells for $3,780 across 11 lots. The median William J. O'Brien sculpture sells for $2,394 across 2 lots. The median William J. O'Brien painting sells for $408 across 1 lots.

### What is the average price of a William J. O'Brien work on paper?

Based on 11 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William J. O'Brien work on paper is $3,780.

### What is William J. O'Brien's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a William J. O'Brien work on paper is $11,817.

### What is William J. O'Brien's auction record?

William J. O'Brien's auction record is $16,640, set in 2026.

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

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “William J. O'Brien auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-j-o-brien (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.