American, 1952–2002
Herb Ritts
465results on record
83%sell-through
$6,404median result (USD, incl. premium; 100% observed, 0% estimated from hammer)
$246,221record in our coverage
Drawn from 465 recorded results (417 sold · 48 passed) across 16 auction houses, 1998–2026. 5 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?
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 | 259 | 89% | $7,560 |
| sculpture | 19 | 76% | $6,300 |
| works on paper | 6 | n/a | $8,847 |
| other | 5 | 67% | $11,222 |
Medium is recorded for 289 of 465 results (62%) — rows above cover that subset; the rest of the record is in the full ledger below.
Compared with Robert Mapplethorpe Herb Ritts Robert Mapplethorpe
| Metric | Herb Ritts | Robert Mapplethorpe |
|---|---|---|
| Median result | $6,404 | $15,000 |
| Record price | $246,221 | $726,348 |
| Results on record | 465 | 1,490 |
| Years active at auction | 1998–2026 | 1998–2026 |
Related artists: Robert MapplethorpeHorst P. HorstIrving PennHenri Cartier-bresson
Market strength liquidity score, 0–100 · method
77/ 100
- Sell-through83%
- Meets estimate59%
- Market depth465 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 | 147 | 95% | $8,750 | — |
| Bonhams | 77 | 87% | $5,211 | 0.83× |
| Heritage Auctions | 70 | 86% | $3,188 | — |
| Sotheby's | 68 | 66% | $9,301 | 0.80× |
| Phillips | 61 | 80% | $10,160 | — |
| SBI Art Auction | 9 | 100% | $2,802 | — |
| Rago | 8 | 100% | $3,539 | — |
| Grisebach | 7 | — | $6,647 | — |
| Wright | 7 | 86% | $5,100 | — |
| Artcurial | 2 | — | $9,580 | 1.36× |
| Chiswick Auctions | 2 | 100% | $2,367 | — |
| Sala Retiro | 3 | 67% | $264 | — |
| Lempertz | 2 | 0% | $2,143 | — |
| Lyon & Turnbull | 1 | — | $3,768 | 0.96× |
| Finarte | 1 | 0% | — | — |
| VAN HAM Kunstauktionen GmbH Co. KG | 1 | 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 471 recorded lots — sold, passed, and upcoming — results in USD incl. premium; est. marks a premium estimated from the house's schedule ✓ Includes 48 passed lots
| Date | Lot | Medium | vs. estimate | Estimate USD | Result USD, incl. premium | House |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 realized prices on this page are locked. A Research Pass reads 50 of them for $39, once — buy a pass | ||||||
| 2014·05 | Female Torso with Veil, Paradise Cove, California, 1984 | gelatin silver print | $12,000–$15,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2014·05 | 'iman, torso horizontal, atlantic beach, new york', 1986 | $5,393–$8,090 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2014·05 | Male Nude with Tumbleweed, Paradise Cove | $3,371–$4,719 | Phillips | |||
| 2013·11 | Rachel holding Sphere, Hollywood, 1989 | $9,231–$13,847 | Christie's | |||
| 2013·11 | Untitled nude III, Miami, 1997 | $3,462–$5,770 | Christie's | |||
| 2013·11 | Paul's torso, 1990 | $3,462–$5,770 | Christie's | |||
| 2013·11 | Duo I, Mexico | $4,045–$6,742 | Phillips | |||
| 2013·11 | Fred, back view with chain, Hollywood from The Body Shop | $2,697–$4,045 | Phillips | |||
| 2013·11 | Waterfall II, Hollywood | $5,393–$8,090 | Phillips | |||
| 2013·11 | Anjelica Huston, Visalia | Gelatin silver | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2013·10 | Helena, Hollywood | $8,000–$12,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2013·10 | Waterfall, Woman with Sphere, Hollywood | $7,000–$10,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2013·10 | Anjelica Huston (Toned), Visalla, 1990 16 x 20in. (40.6 x 50.8cm) | $5,000–$7,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2013·10 | Madonna, New York City, 1986 | gelatin silver print | $5,393–$8,090 | Christie's | ||
| 2013·10 | Tatjana, Veiled Head, Tight View, Joshua Tree | $12,000–$18,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2013·10 | Carrie in Sand Detail, Paradise Cove | $10,000–$15,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2013·10 | Elton John, Los Angeles | $4,000–$6,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2013·05 | Mask, Hollywood, 1989 | $9,231–$13,847 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2013·05 | Madonna, True Blue, Hollywood, 1987 | $5,770–$8,077 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2013·05 | dizzy gillespie, paris, 1989 | $3,462–$5,770 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2013·05 | Loriki with Spear, Africa, 1993 | $8,077–$10,385 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2013·05 | Jack Nicholson I, London, 1988 | $5,770–$8,077 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2013·05 | Versace, Veiled Dress, El Mirage, 1990 | $8,077–$10,385 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2013·05 | head, los angeles, 1986 | $4,616–$6,923 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2013·05 | Versace Dress, Back VIew, El Mirage, 1990 | $11,539–$17,308 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2013·05 | Rachel with Shark, Hollywood | $5,000–$7,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2013·05 | Tony - Black Torso, Los Angeles | $4,000–$6,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2013·05 | "Malaika", Holding Giraffe Vertebrae, Africa | $4,045–$6,742 | Phillips | |||
| 2013·04 | Fred with Tires, The Body Shop, Los Angeles, 1984 | gelatin silver print | $10,000–$15,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2013·04 | Duo IV, Mexico | $4,000–$6,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2013·04 | Tatjana, Veiled Head, Tight View, Joshua Tree | $12,000–$18,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2013·04 | Versace Dress, Back View, El Mirage | $20,000–$30,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2013·03 | Cher, Hollywood | Gelatin silver, 1991 | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2013·03 | Elizabeth Taylor, Bel Air | Gelatin silver, 1997 | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2013·03 | Maasai Dancers, Ceremonial Dance, Africa | Gelatin silver, printed later | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2012·12 | 'his holiness the dalai lama, new york city' | $2,000–$3,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2012·11 | Felicitas | Gelatin silver, printed later | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2012·11 | Male nude with veil, Hollywood, 1984 | $1,731–$2,308 | Christie's | |||
| 2012·11 | Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Point Dume, 1984 | $6,923–$9,231 | Christie's | |||
| 2012·11 | 3 male torsos, Los Angeles, 1986 | $4,616–$6,923 | Christie's | |||
| 2012·11 | Rebecca De Mornay, Los Angeles | Gelatin silver, printed later | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2012·11 | Male Nude with Tumbleweed, Paradise Cove | Gelatin silver, printed later | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2012·11 | Greg Louganis, Hollywood | $3,000–$5,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2012·11 | Cindy Crawford, Costa Careyes | $9,000–$12,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2012·11 | Elizabeth Taylor, Malibu | $4,000–$6,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2012·08 | Malaika, Profile, Manyara Salt Lake, Africa | $1,500–$2,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2012·06 | Male Nude - Detail | $1,000–$1,500 | Bonhams | |||
| 2012·05 | Loriki with Spear, Africa, 1993 | $20,225–$26,967 | Bonhams | |||
| 2012·05 | Waterfall IV, Hollywood, 1988 | $6,923–$9,231 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2012·05 | splash, hollywood, 1989 | $8,077–$10,385 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2012·05 | Three Male Torsos | Platinum, printed later | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2012·05 | Untitled (Cindy from Playboy) | Gelatin silver, printed later | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2012·05 | Lara, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico | Vintage gelatin silver | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2011·11 | Cindy Crawford | Gelatin silver, circa 1992 | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2011·11 | Naomi Campbell | Gelatin silver, circa 1992 | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2011·11 | Djimon with Octopus | Gelatin silver, 1989 | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2011·11 | Group of Seven Portraits | Gelatin silver, circa 1992 | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2011·11 | Arnold Schwarzenegger | Gelatin silver, circa 1992 | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2011·11 | Male Nude | Gelatin silver, printed later | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2011·11 | Cindy Crawford | Gelatin silver, circa 1992 | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2011·11 | Stephanie, Cindy, Christy, Tatjana, Naomi, Hollywood | Gelatin silver, circa 1992 | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2011·11 | Cindy Crawford | Gelatin silver, circa 1992 | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2011·11 | Madonna (at Window), New York, 1986 | gelatin silver print, printed during the artist's lifetime | $5,393–$8,090 | Christie's | ||
| 2011·05 | meg, hollywood, 1988 | $4,616–$6,923 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2011·04 | 'floating torso' (st. barthélemy) | $5,000–$7,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2011·02 | Andie MacDowell in Hawaii | $3,000–$5,000 | Wright | |||
| 2010·12 | Madonna (True Blue), Hollywood | Gelatin silver, 1986 | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2010·12 | Stephanie with Flower | Gelatin silver, 1989 | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2010·11 | Madonna, True Blue, 1986 | $5,770–$8,077 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2010·06 | Stephanie, Cindy, Christy, Tatjana, Naomi, Hollywood | Gelatin... | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2010·05 | Cameron, Los Angeles 1989 | $4,045–$6,742 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2010·04 | Splash, Hollywood, 1989 | gelatin silver print | $7,000–$9,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2009·09 | Clay Nude on mantle, 1989 | $2,308–$2,885 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2009·09 | Stina and Cordula, Hollywood, 1989 | $3,462–$4,616 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2009·09 | Waterfall IV, Hollywood, 1988 | $4,616–$6,923 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2009·03 | Stephanie, Cindy, Christy, Tatjana, Naomi, Hollywood, 1989 | gelatin silver print | $20,000–$30,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2009·02 | Cindy Crawford, Costa Careyes, Mexico | $7,000–$9,000 | Wright | |||
| 2008·11 | Cindy Crawford, Costa Careyes, Mexico, 1998 | gelatin silver print | $6,742–$9,438 | Christie's | ||
| 2008·11 | meg, hollywood, 1988 | $4,616–$6,923 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·10 | 'male nude with bubble' | $10,000–$15,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·10 | 'djimon with octopus, hollywood' | $20,000–$30,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·10 | 'cindy crawford, costa careyes' | $12,000–$18,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2008·05 | Ohne Titel (Modeaufnahme für die deutsche „Vogue“). 1990er Jahre | Silbergelatineabzug | $1,385–$2,077 | Grisebach | ||
| 2008·04 | Vladimir I, Hollywood, 1990 | platinum print | $8,000–$12,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2008·02 | Dustin Hoffman, Los Angeles, 1996 | gelatin silver print | $4,000–$6,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·11 | Stina & Cordula, Hollywood, 1989 | platinum print | $1,348–$2,022 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·11 | Male nude for 'Joop' perfume, 1991 | gelatin silver print | $2,022–$2,697 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·11 | Madonna, New York City, 1984 | unique dye-transfer print | $5,393–$8,090 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·11 | 'Waterfall IV', Hollwood, 1988 | $3,371–$4,719 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2007·11 | 'Wrapped torso', Los Angeles, 1989 | $4,045–$6,742 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2007·10 | Male Nude with Bubble, Los Angeles, 1987 | gelatin silver print | $5,000–$7,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·10 | Djimon with Octopus, Hollywood, 1989 | gelatin silver print flush-mounted on linen | $25,000–$35,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·10 | Headless Nude, 1984 | gelatin silver print | $4,000–$6,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·10 | 'stephanie, cindy, christy, tatjana, naomi, hollywood' | $20,000–$30,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2007·09 | Tony with Blackface - profile, Los Angeles, 1986 | gelatin silver print | $3,000–$5,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·06 | Duo II, Los Angeles, 1990 | gelatin silver print | $1,348–$2,022 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·05 | Female Torso with Veil, Paradise Cove, 1984 | gelatin silver print | $2,697–$4,045 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·05 | Madonna, Tokyo, 1987 | gelatin silver print | $8,090–$10,787 | Christie's | ||
| 2007·05 | Cindy Crawford, Hawaii, 1988 | gelatin silver print | $2,697–$4,045 | Christie's | ||
| 2006·12 | Tony & Brian Standing, Los Angeles, 1986 | gelatin silver print | $1,348–$2,022 | Christie's | ||
Realized prices are sold by the record: 50 for $39, non-expiring. Reading them at volume is what Starter is for.