> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-michael-harnett · updated 2026-11-02

# William Michael Harnett (1848–1892)

## What is William Michael Harnett’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 31 auction results for William Michael Harnett at 6 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $31,750 including buyer’s premium (middle half $21,385–$44,800, n=6). The auction record is $607,500 for After the Hunt (1998, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | After the Hunt, 1848 | Oil paint | $607,500 | Christie's | Dec 1998 |
| 2 | Still Life with Lobster | Oil on canvas | $313,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 3 | Still Life with Pipe and Philadelphia Ledger, 1848 | Oil paint | $211,500 | Christie's | May 1999 |
| 4 | Still Life with Lobster, Fruit, Champagne and Newspaper, 1848 | Still Life with Lobster, Fruit, Champagne and Newspaper | $182,000 | Christie's | Nov 2001 |
| 5 | His Mug and His Pipe, 1851 | Oil paint | $145,500 | Christie's | May 1998 |
| 6 | Lobster, Fruit, Champagne and Newspaper, 1882 | Oil on canvas | $126,000 | Christie's | Jan 2023 |
| 7 | Still Life: Le Mot d'Or, 1880 | Oil paint | $120,000 | Christie's | May 1999 |
| 8 | Two Ounces, 1848 | Oil paint | $119,500 | Christie's | Dec 2002 |
| 9 | Still Life, 1848 | Still life | $98,500 | Christie's | Nov 2012 |
| 10 | Eleme Figs and Newspaper, 1876 | Oil paint | $93,750 | Christie's | Jan 2022 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 26 | $59,118 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 23 | $53,235 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 31 results from 6 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


William Michael Harnett is an American artist with 41 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $53,235. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by William Michael Harnett sold in 2026 for $65,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 William Michael Harnett work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [William Michael Harnett on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-michael-harnett?ref=kg:william-michael-harnett) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a William Michael Harnett work worth?

Across 31 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Michael Harnett work is $53,235.

The median William Michael Harnett painting sells for $56,440 across 24 lots.

The median William Michael Harnett work on paper sells for $154,000 across 2 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) William Michael Harnett paintings typically sell for $23,995–$119,875 (the middle half of 22 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 | 1 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Paintings | 30 | $56,440† | $1M | 80% | 2026-02-09 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $154,000 | $182,000 | — | 2023-01-19 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 10 | $196,750 | $1M | — | 2023-01-19 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 22 | $23,995–$119,875† | $56,440† | $1M |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2007 | $1M |
| Paintings | 1998 | $607,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2001 | $182,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $126,000 |

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 Michael Harnett worth?

Across 31 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Michael Harnett work is $53,235. The median William Michael Harnett painting sells for $56,440 across 24 lots. The median William Michael Harnett work on paper sells for $154,000 across 2 lots. Small (under 50 cm) William Michael Harnett paintings typically sell for $23,995–$119,875 (the middle half of 22 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a William Michael Harnett painting?

Based on 24 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William Michael Harnett painting is $56,440. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is William Michael Harnett's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a William Michael Harnett painting is $1,001,594.

### What is the average price of a small William Michael Harnett painting?

Based on 22 sold lots, the median auction price of a small William Michael Harnett painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $56,440, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is William Michael Harnett's auction record?

William Michael Harnett's auction record is $1,001,594, set in 2007.

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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, “William Michael Harnett auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-michael-harnett (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.