> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-mortensen · updated 2026-11-01

# William Mortensen (1897–1965)

William Mortensen is an American artist with 31 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $856.

A work by William Mortensen sold in 2016 for $17,500, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a William Mortensen work worth?

Across 26 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Mortensen work is $856.

The median William Mortensen photograph sells for $626 across 24 lots.

The median William Mortensen print sells for $2,200 across 1 lots.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 1 | $2,200 | $2,200 | — | 2004-12-07 |
| Photography | 25 | $626 | $18,400 | 96% | 2013-04-18 |

## Price by size

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $1,040–$5,250 | $2,350 | $18,400 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 1999 | $18,400 |
| Photography | 2006 | $12,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2004 | $2,200 |

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 Mortensen worth?

Across 26 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Mortensen work is $856. The median William Mortensen photograph sells for $626 across 24 lots. The median William Mortensen print sells for $2,200 across 1 lots.

### What is the average price of a William Mortensen photograph?

Based on 24 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William Mortensen photograph is $626.

### What is William Mortensen's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a William Mortensen photograph is $18,400.

### What is William Mortensen's auction record?

William Mortensen's auction record is $18,400, set in 1999.

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Data last updated 2026-11-01. OpeningBid tracks 15,222,099 auction lots from 571 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “William Mortensen auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-mortensen (updated 2026-11-01).

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.