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

# Yves Tanguy (1900–1955)

## What is Yves Tanguy’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 234 auction results for Yves Tanguy at 28 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $17,640 including buyer’s premium (middle half $11,475–$76,200, n=21). The auction record is $3,918,132 for L’Extinction des espèces II (2019, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L’Extinction des espèces II, 1900 | Tin | $3,918,132 | Christie's | Jun 2019 |
| 2 | Je me faisais semblant (I was Pretending to myself), 1948 | Oil paint | $3,662,611 | Christie's | Feb 2011 |
| 3 | Un grand tableau qui représente un paysage, 1927 | Oil paint | $3,420,000 | Christie's | Nov 2022 |
| 4 | Titre inconnu, 1928 | Oil paint | $3,383,947 | Sotheby's | Sep 2025 |
| 5 | La lumière de l’ombre, 1939 | Oil paint | $2,509,372 | Sotheby's | Mar 2021 |
| 6 | LES SURVENANTS II | Oil on canvas | $2,447,569 | Sotheby's | Feb 2007 |
| 7 | L'Arc volant (The Speeding Bow), 1945 | Oil paint | $2,169,439 | Christie's | Feb 2013 |
| 8 | Entends-tu, 1900 | Oil paint | $2,098,500 | Christie's | May 2011 |
| 9 | La lumière, la solitude, 1940 | Oil paint | $1,944,119 | Christie's | Feb 2017 |
| 10 | Finissez ce que j'ai commencé, 1927 | Oil paint | $1,831,760 | Christie's | Apr 2022 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 34 | $782,692 |
| Other | 36 | $27,545 |
| Works on paper | 71 | $21,590 |
| Prints | 69 | $4,788 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 26 | $708,312 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 161 | $15,071 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 234 results from 28 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Yves Tanguy is a French artist with 304 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $16,895. 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 Yves Tanguy is recorded as sold in 2026 for $719,297; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

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

- [Yves Tanguy on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/yves-tanguy?ref=kg:yves-tanguy) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Yves Tanguy work worth?

Across 234 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Yves Tanguy work is $16,895.

The median Yves Tanguy work on paper sells for $19,402 across 94 lots.

The median Yves Tanguy print sells for $4,715 across 72 lots.

The median Yves Tanguy painting sells for $835,438 across 36 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Yves Tanguy work on papers typically sell for $12,812–$100,225 (the middle half of 82 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Yves Tanguy prints typically sell for $2,219–$9,375 (the middle half of 68 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 | 84 | $4,715†‡ | $32,500 | 85.7% | 2026-10-22 |
| Paintings | 39 | $835,438‡ | $3.7M | 92.3% | 2026-05-11 |
| Works on Paper | 108 | $19,402†‡ | $390,600 | 87% | 2026-05-19 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2 | $2M | $3.9M | — | 2019-06-18 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 70 | $431,608‡ | $3.9M | — | 2026-05-31 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Yves Tanguy's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (84 lots) median $4,715 with 85.7% sell-through. Paintings (39 lots) median $835,438, record $3,662,611. A typical Yves Tanguy painting sells for around 177× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 70 lots) the median is $431,608.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 68 | $2,219–$9,375†‡ | $4,769†‡ | $32,500 |

† 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) | 16 | $446,967–$984,770‡ | $674,902‡ | $1.8M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 18 | $656,764–$2.2M‡ | $1.8M‡ | $3.7M |

‡ 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) | 82 | $12,812–$100,225†‡ | $19,402†‡ | $390,600 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $35,182–$166,496 | $79,341 | $347,247 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2019 | $3.9M |
| Paintings | 2011 | $3.7M |
| Paintings | 2022 | $3.4M |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $390,600 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $382,219 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $32,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $28,295 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2008 | $10,000 |

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 Yves Tanguy worth?

Across 234 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Yves Tanguy work is $16,895. The median Yves Tanguy work on paper sells for $19,402 across 94 lots. The median Yves Tanguy print sells for $4,715 across 72 lots. The median Yves Tanguy painting sells for $835,438 across 36 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Yves Tanguy work on papers typically sell for $12,812–$100,225 (the middle half of 82 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Yves Tanguy prints typically sell for $2,219–$9,375 (the middle half of 68 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 Yves Tanguy work on paper?

Based on 94 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Yves Tanguy work on paper is $19,402. 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 Yves Tanguy's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Yves Tanguy work on paper is $390,600.

### What is the average price of a Yves Tanguy print?

Based on 72 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Yves Tanguy print is $4,715. 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 Yves Tanguy's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Yves Tanguy print is $32,500.

### What is the average price of a Yves Tanguy painting?

Based on 36 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Yves Tanguy painting is $835,438. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Yves Tanguy's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Yves Tanguy painting is $3,662,611.

### What is the average price of a small Yves Tanguy work on paper?

Based on 82 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Yves Tanguy work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $19,402, 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 Yves Tanguy print?

Based on 68 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Yves Tanguy print (small (under 50 cm)) is $4,769, 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 Yves Tanguy's auction record?

Yves Tanguy's auction record is $3,918,132, set in 2019.

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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, “Yves Tanguy auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/yves-tanguy (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.