American, 1923–1971
Diane Arbus
811results on record
74%sell-through
$12,500median result (USD, incl. premium; 100% observed, 0% estimated from hammer)
$1,197,000record in our coverage
Drawn from 811 recorded results (697 sold · 114 passed) across 12 auction houses, 1998–2026. 8 upcoming lots on the ledger. What we cover
Median sold price by year typical estimate range median result USD, incl. premium; 100% observed, 0% estimated from hammer method · log scale
Where does a value land in this market?
The same figure also answers the seller's question: which house clears a work like this, and for how much — expected proceeds by house, from the sell-through the rest of this page is built on.
Every sold result for this market, low to high (log scale) — the dashed line is the median. Enter a value to see where it lands.
By medium where medium is recorded or stated in the catalog line
| Medium | Results | Sell-through | Median result (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| photography | 438 | 84% | $13,750 |
| ceramics & design | 22 | 77% | $11,400 |
| other | 10 | 80% | $132,000 |
| prints | 4 | 75% | $1,750 |
| painting | 3 | n/a | $9,560 |
Medium is recorded for 477 of 811 results (59%) — rows above cover that subset; the rest of the record is in the full ledger below.
Compared with Irving Penn Diane Arbus Irving Penn
| Metric | Diane Arbus | Irving Penn |
|---|---|---|
| Median result | $12,500 | $28,800 |
| Record price | $1,197,000 | $567,600 |
| Results on record | 811 | 1,559 |
| Years active at auction | 1998–2026 | 1998–2026 |
Related artists: Irving PennRobert MapplethorpeHenri Cartier-bressonAnsel Adams
Market strength liquidity score, 0–100 · method
68/ 100
- Sell-through74%
- Meets estimate48%
- Market depth811 results
How readily and near-estimate this market clears — sell-through, estimate reliability, and depth, blended into one score. "Meets estimate" is the share of sold lots hammering at or above the low estimate, over catalogs that print a real appraisal: a house whose printed low is a starting bid would meet its estimate on every lot, so those lots are excluded from this term only — their prices and outcomes still count in the other two. Method →
Where this artist sells best
| House | Results | Sell-through | Median | vs. estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christie's | 245 | 95% | $13,750 | — |
| Sotheby's | 246 | 72% | $15,625 | 0.78× |
| Phillips | 196 | 77% | $13,380 | — |
| Heritage Auctions | 39 | 87% | $4,375 | — |
| Bonhams | 51 | 45% | $8,320 | 0.78× |
| Grisebach | 16 | — | $8,401 | — |
| Lempertz | 9 | 100% | $4,435 | — |
| Rago | 5 | 100% | $4,064 | — |
| Wright | 4 | 75% | $6,250 | — |
| Viscontea auction house | 2 | 50% | $1,641 | 0.57× |
| SBI Art Auction | 1 | 0% | — | — |
| Finarte | 2 | 0% | — | — |
The same artist across every house we cover — hammer-vs-estimate side by side. A dash in the estimate column can mean withheld rather than unpublished: the house publishes no hammer price, or its printed low is a starting bid rather than an appraisal. Method →
Prices realized 824 recorded lots — sold, passed, and upcoming — results in USD incl. premium; est. marks a premium estimated from the house's schedule ✓ Includes 114 passed lots
| Date | Lot | Medium | vs. estimate | Estimate USD | Result USD, incl. premium | House |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99 realized prices on this page are locked. A Research Pass reads 50 of them for $19, once — buy a pass | ||||||
| 2010·04 | 'a young man and his girlfriend with hot dogs in the park, nyc' | $8,000–$12,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2010·04 | 'transvestite at her birthday party, n. y. c.' | $6,000–$9,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2010·04 | 'untitled #21' | $6,000–$9,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2009·10 | 'loser at a diaper derby, n.j.' | $5,000–$7,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2009·10 | 'girl in shiny dress' | $8,000–$12,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2009·10 | 'waitress, nudist camp, n. j.' | $15,000–$25,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2009·10 | 'russian midget friends in a living room on 100th street, n.y.c.' | $15,000–$20,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2009·10 | 'four people at a gallery opening, nyc' | $8,000–$12,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2009·07 | A Child Crying, NJ, 1967 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $8,232–$11,524 | Christie's | ||
| 2009·05 | retired man and his wife at home in a nudist camp one morning, n.j., 1963 | $27,862–$34,053 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2009·03 | Mrs. T. Charlton Henry on a couch in her Chestnut Hill home, Philadelphia, Pa. 1965 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $8,000–$12,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2009·03 | Woman with a veil on Fifth Avenue, N.Y.C. 1968 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $20,000–$30,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2009·03 | Couple on a pier, N.Y.C. 1963 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $10,000–$15,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2009·03 | Young man and his girlfriend with hot dogs in the park, N.Y.C. 1971 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $8,000–$12,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2009·03 | Albino sword swallower at a carnival, Md. 1970 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $15,000–$25,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2009·03 | Nudist lady with swan sunglasses, Pa. 1965 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $12,000–$18,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2009·03 | 'child with toy hand grenade in central park, n. y. c.' | $70,000–$100,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·11 | 'girl in a coat lying on her bed, n.y.c.', 1968 | $7,513–$10,518 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·11 | baby in a lacy bonnet, nyc, 1968 | $4,508–$6,010 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·10 | A Young Man in Curlers at Home on West 20th Street, N. Y. C. | $100,000–$200,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·10 | 'a woman in a bird mask, n. y. c.' | $8,000–$12,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·10 | 'child with toy hand grenade in central park, n. y. c.' | $70,000–$100,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·10 | Four People at a Gallery Opening, N. Y. C. | $60,000–$90,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·10 | 'untitled (22)' | $5,000–$7,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·05 | Xmas tree in a living room, Levittown, L.I., 1963 | gelatin silver print | — | upcoming | Christie's | |
| 2008·05 | blaze star backstage, baltimore, 1964 | $11,695–$15,594 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·05 | three puerto rican women, nyc, 1963 | $11,695–$15,594 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·04 | Two female impersonators at a dressing table, N.Y.C., 1962 | gelatin silver print, printed between 1962-1966 | $20,000–$30,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2008·04 | Burlesque comedienne in her dressing room, Atlantic City, N.J., 1963 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $10,000–$15,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2008·04 | Transvestite and her birthday cake, N.Y.C., 1969 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $6,000–$8,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2008·04 | Man at a parade on Fifth Avenue, N.Y.C., 1969 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $10,000–$15,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2008·04 | Four people at a gallery opening, N.Y.C. 1968 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $10,000–$15,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2008·04 | 'a family one evening in a nudist camp, pa.' | $20,000–$30,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·04 | a flower girl at a wedding, connecticut | $70,000–$100,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·04 | 'a family on the lawn one sunday in westchester, n. y.' | $200,000–$300,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·04 | 'xmas tree in a living room in levittown, l. i.' | $20,000–$30,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·04 | 'tattooed man at a carnival, md.' | $15,000–$20,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·04 | 'child with a toy hand grenade in central park, n. y. c.' | $100,000–$150,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·04 | 'the female impersonators, apollo theater, n. y. c.' | $5,000–$7,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·04 | 'a house on a hill, hollywood, cal.' | $12,000–$18,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·02 | Female impersonators' dressing room, N.Y.C., 1958 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $6,000–$8,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·11 | Mae West in a Chair at Home, Santa Monica, CA, 1965 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $5,146–$7,204 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·11 | Three Circus Ballerinas, 1964 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $31,092–$41,456 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·11 | Triplets in their bedroom, New Jersey, 1963 | $41,391–$62,087 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2007·11 | Lady in a rooming parlour, Albion, New York, 1963 | $24,835–$31,043 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2007·10 | Child with a toy hand grenade in Central Park, N.Y.C., 1962 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $100,000–$150,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·10 | Boy with a straw hat waiting to march in a pro-war parade, N.Y.C., 1967, from A box of ten photographs | gelatin silver print, printed 1970 by Neil Selkirk | $30,000–$50,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·10 | Bishop by the sea, L.A., Cal., 1964 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $15,000–$25,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·10 | Lady bartender at home with a souvenir dog, New Orleans, La., 1964 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $18,000–$22,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·10 | Couple arguing, Coney Island, N.Y., 1960 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $5,000–$7,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·10 | Nudist lady with swan sunglasses, Pa., 1965 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $15,000–$20,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·10 | Transvestite with a picture of Marilyn Monroe, N.Y.C., 1967 | gelatin silver print | $10,000–$15,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·10 | A Jewish Giant at home with his parents, 1967 | gelatin silver print, printed 1970-71 | $300,000–$500,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·10 | Man and a boy on a bench in Central Park, N.Y.C., 1962 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $5,000–$7,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·10 | 'patriotic young man with a flag, nyc' | $15,000–$25,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2007·06 | Patriotic Young Man with American Flag | $23,964–$29,955 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2007·06 | Girl in a party dress, N.Y.C., 1962 | $13,979–$23,964 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2007·06 | jayne mansfield climber - ottavino, actress, with her daughter jayne marie: l.a. ca., 1965 | $15,976–$23,964 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2007·06 | Woman with a fur collar on the street N.Y.C., 1968 | $11,982–$15,976 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2007·05 | Man and a boy on a bench in Central Park, N.Y.C., 1962 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $5,935–$9,891 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·05 | mrs. t. charlton henry in the park, 1965 | $7,949–$11,923 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2007·04 | 'untitled (7)' | $20,000–$30,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2007·04 | 'loser at a diaper derby, n. j.' | $5,000–$7,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2007·04 | 'russian midget friends in a living room on 100th st, nyc' | $20,000–$30,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2007·04 | 'triplets, new jersey' | $150,000–$250,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2007·04 | 'the junior interstate ballroom dance champions, yonkers, ny' | $30,000–$50,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2007·04 | 'child with a toy hand grenade in central park, n. y. c.' | $100,000–$150,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2007·04 | 'identical twins, roselle, new jersey' | $400,000–$600,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2007·04 | 'couple on a pier, n. y. c.' | $5,000–$7,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2007·04 | 'Topless Dancer in her Dressing Room, San Francisco, CA' | $20,000–$30,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2007·04 | 'Girl in a Shiny Dress' | $8,000–$12,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2006·11 | Burlesque Comedienne in her Dressing Room, Atlantic City, N.J., 1963 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $13,278–$17,072 | Christie's | ||
| 2006·11 | Child teasing another, New York City, 1960, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $8,536–$10,433 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2006·10 | Circus fat lady with her dog, Troubles, 1964 | gelatin silver print | $30,000–$40,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2006·10 | Transvestite showing cleavage, N.Y.C., 1966 | gelatin silver print | $40,000–$60,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2006·10 | Taxi driver's wife showing picture, N.Y.C., 1968 | gelatin silver print | $30,000–$50,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2006·10 | Nudist lady with swan sunglasses, Pa., 1965 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $15,000–$20,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2006·10 | Topless dancer in her dressing room, San Francisco, Cal., 1968 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $20,000–$30,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2006·10 | Identical twins, Roselle, N.J., 1967 | gelatin silver print on carte postale | $40,000–$60,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2006·10 | A young waitress at a nudist camp, N.J., 1963 | gelatin silver print | $30,000–$40,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2006·10 | Young couple on a bench in Washington Square Park, N.Y.C., 1965 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $10,000–$15,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2006·10 | Carlin Jeffrey, n.d. | gelatin silver print | $10,000–$15,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2006·10 | Child with a toy hand grenade in Central Park, N.Y.C., 1962 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $80,000–$100,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2006·10 | A Jewish giant at home with his parents in the Bronx, N.Y., 1970 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $40,000–$60,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2006·10 | 'woman with a veil on fifth avenue, nyc' | $15,000–$20,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2006·10 | 'waitress, nudist camp, n. j.' | $15,000–$25,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2006·10 | 'the junior interstate ballroom dance champions, yonkers, ny' | $30,000–$50,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2006·10 | 'identical twins, roselle, n. j.' | $120,000–$180,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2006·10 | 'woman by a lampost [sic], n. y. c.' | $5,000–$7,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2006·10 | 'two ladies at the automat, n. y. c.' | $15,000–$20,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2006·10 | 'topless dancer in her dressing room, san francisco, cal.' | $15,000–$25,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2006·05 | Girl in a Coat Lying on her Bed, 1968 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $5,689–$7,585 | Christie's | ||
| 2006·05 | Tattooed man at a carnival, Md., 1970 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $15,000–$20,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2006·04 | Boy with a straw hat waiting to march in a pro-war parade, N.Y.C., 1967 | gelatin silver print | $70,000–$90,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2006·04 | Topless dancer in her dressing room, San Francisco, Cal., 1968 | gelatin silver print, printed 1973 by Neil Selkirk | $15,000–$20,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2006·04 | James Brown backstage at the Apollo Theater, N.Y.C., 1966 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $4,000–$6,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2006·04 | Patriotic young man with a flag, N.Y.C., 1967 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $15,000–$20,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2006·04 | A young Brooklyn family going for a Sunday outing, N.Y.C., 1966 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $40,000–$60,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2006·04 | Child Teasing Another, N.Y.C., 1960 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $3,000–$5,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2006·04 | Girl in a watch cap, N.Y.C., 1965 | gelatin silver print, printed later by Neil Selkirk | $7,000–$10,000 | Christie's | ||
Realized prices are sold by the record: 50 for $19, non-expiring. Reading them at volume is what Starter is for.