American, 1917–2009
Irving Penn
1,559results on record
73%sell-through
$28,800median result (USD, incl. premium; 100% observed, 0% estimated from hammer)
$567,600record in our coverage
Drawn from 1,559 recorded results (1,372 sold · 187 passed) across 17 auction houses, 1998–2026. 21 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 | 972 | 87% | $27,960 |
| other | 58 | 64% | $22,860 |
| ceramics & design | 19 | 58% | $23,220 |
| prints | 10 | 100% | $23,500 |
| sculpture | 6 | 100% | $19,515 |
| painting | 4 | 100% | $8,066 |
| works on paper | 4 | 50% | $31,090 |
Medium is recorded for 1,073 of 1,559 results (69%) — rows above cover that subset; the rest of the record is in the full ledger below.
Compared with Robert Mapplethorpe Irving Penn Robert Mapplethorpe
| Metric | Irving Penn | Robert Mapplethorpe |
|---|---|---|
| Median result | $28,800 | $15,000 |
| Record price | $567,600 | $726,348 |
| Results on record | 1,559 | 1,490 |
| Years active at auction | 1998–2026 | 1998–2026 |
Related artists: Robert MapplethorpeHenri Cartier-bressonHelmut NewtonHorst P. Horst
Market strength liquidity score, 0–100 · method
73/ 100
- Sell-through73%
- Meets estimate61%
- Market depth1,559 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 | 641 | 97% | $28,944 | — |
| Sotheby's | 425 | 68% | $28,576 | 0.88× |
| Phillips | 364 | 77% | $36,250 | — |
| Heritage Auctions | 46 | 70% | $11,352 | — |
| Bonhams | 57 | 53% | $10,240 | 0.76× |
| Grisebach | 8 | — | $11,009 | — |
| Lempertz | 5 | 50% | $20,696 | — |
| Wright | 8 | 38% | $215 | — |
| Artcurial | 3 | — | $535 | 0.73× |
| Finarte | 3 | 100% | $2,634 | 0.84× |
| Rago | 3 | 67% | $14,075 | — |
| SBI Art Auction | 4 | 50% | $11,781 | — |
| Chiswick Auctions | 1 | 100% | $7,102 | — |
| Lyon & Turnbull | 1 | — | $6,988 | 3.20× |
| Stockholms Auktionsverk Fine Art | 1 | — | $9,101 | 0.71× |
| Karlstad Hammarö Auktionsverk | 1 | — | $64 | 0.95× |
| Freeman's | Hindman | 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 1,593 recorded lots — sold, passed, and upcoming — results in USD incl. premium; est. marks a premium estimated from the house's schedule ✓ Includes 187 passed lots
| Date | Lot | Medium | vs. estimate | Estimate USD | Result USD, incl. premium | House |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92 realized prices on this page are locked. A Research Pass reads 50 of them for $19, once — buy a pass | ||||||
| 2024·04 | Black Cup with Grains | $12,000–$18,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2024·04 | Gerbera Daisy/Gerbera jamesonii 'Husky,' New York | $25,000–$35,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2024·03 | Three Poppies, Arab Chief, New York, 1969 | dye transfer print | $128,358–$192,537 | Christie's | ||
| 2024·02 | Pear with Seeds (A), New York, 1993 | platinum-palladium print, flush-mounted on aluminum, printed 1993 | $15,000–$25,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2024·02 | Vogue' Fashion photograph ( Café in Lima, Jean Patchett), 1948 | selenium toned gelatin silver print, mounted on board, printed 1984 | $50,000–$70,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2024·02 | Optician's Shop Window (Version B), New York, 1939 | selenium toned gelatin silver print, printed 1983 | $15,000–$25,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2024·02 | Bedside Lamp, New York, 2006 | pigment print, flush-mounted on board, printed 2006 | $40,000–$60,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2024·02 | Turkey Neck, New York, 2003 | Fuji crystal archive print | $20,000–$30,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2024·02 | Girl Behind Bottle Jean Patchett, New York, 1949 | gelatin silver print, mounted on board, printed before 1960 | $60,000–$80,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2024·02 | Cleaning Women, London, 1950 | platinum palladium print, printed 1977 | $20,000–$30,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2024·02 | Dahomey Children, 1967 | selenium toned gelatin silver print, mounted on board, printed 1985 | $15,000–$25,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2024·02 | Girl Drinking ( MJR ), New York, 1949 | platinum-palladium print, mounted on aluminum, printed 1979 | $60,000–$80,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2024·02 | Six New Guinea Mudmen, 1970 | platinum-palladium print, mounted on aluminum, printed 1983 | $25,000–$35,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2024·02 | Girl in bed on Telephone (Jean Patchett), New York, April 2,1949 | gelatin silver print, mounted on board | $40,000–$60,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2024·01 | Model Wearing Après-Ski Ensemble by Madame Grès | $2,000–$3,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2023·11 | Seine Rowboat, France | $15,054–$22,581 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·11 | Christian Lacroix, Duchesse Satin Dress, Paris | $37,635–$62,725 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·11 | Sitting Nude Rear, New York | $37,635–$62,725 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·11 | Lipstick Chunks, New York | $25,090–$37,635 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·11 | Pear with Seeds (A), New York | $7,527–$10,036 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·11 | Dried Bananas, New York, May 9 | $7,527–$10,036 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·11 | Seine Rowboat, France, 1951 | acier : 53,4 x 63,5 cm. (21 x 25 in.) | $32,073–$42,764 | Christie's | ||
| 2023·11 | Guedras in the Wind (Morocco), 1971 | $16,036–$21,382 | upcoming | Christie's | ||
| 2023·11 | Father, Son and Grandfather, New Guinea, 1970 | $21,382–$32,073 | Christie's | |||
| 2023·11 | Man Lighting Girl's Cigarette, 1949 | $74,837–$96,219 | Christie's | |||
| 2023·10 | 'Balenciaga Harem Dress (Paris, 1950)' | $15,000–$25,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2023·10 | 'Alexandra Beller (D)' | $5,000–$7,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2023·10 | 'The Angel' | $5,000–$7,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2023·10 | 'The Polo Grounds, New York' | $20,000–$30,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2023·10 | 'Ospedale' | $10,000–$15,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2023·10 | Chevrier, Paris | Platinum print on Arches paper, printed 1976 | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2023·10 | Four Lipsticks (New York) | $40,000–$60,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·10 | Contact Lens, New York | $20,000–$30,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·10 | Forgotten Fruit | $12,000–$18,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·10 | Ballet Society, New York, March 5 | $10,000–$15,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·10 | Woman in Balenciaga Coat (Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn), Paris | $15,000–$25,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·10 | Red Lips, New York | $25,000–$35,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·10 | Cuzco Children, Peru, December | $18,000–$22,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·10 | 'Poppy: Glowing Embers' | $150,000–$250,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2023·10 | 'Four Girl Children (Morocco)' | $20,000–$30,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2023·10 | Nude 59 | $8,000–$12,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2023·10 | Cecil Beaton | $10,000–$15,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2023·10 | 'Bread, Salt and Water, New York (New York, 1980)' | $12,000–$18,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2023·10 | 'Composition of Ten Pieces' | $8,000–$12,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2023·10 | 'Wide Skull (A) (New York, 1993)' | $10,000–$15,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2023·10 | 'Playing Card' | $15,000–$25,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2023·06 | 'Bee (A), New York' | $37,716–$62,860 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2023·06 | Bee (A), New York, September 1995 | tirage Cibachrome, tiré en 1996 | $42,732–$64,098 | Christie's | ||
| 2023·06 | Two men fishing from a boat (The Marne), 1966 | $10,683–$16,024 | Christie's | |||
| 2023·05 | Fish Bones on a Plate, New York | $12,446–$18,669 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·05 | Cuzco Children, Peru | $18,669–$31,115 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·05 | Dior Fur Scarf (Jean Patchett), New York | $37,338–$62,229 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·05 | Steinberg in Nose Mask, New York | $12,446–$18,669 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·05 | Still Life with Shoe | $9,957–$14,935 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·05 | 'Truman Capote, New York' | $10,000–$15,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2023·05 | Cigarette No. 69 | $20,000–$30,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2023·05 | Cigarette No. 17 | $15,000–$25,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2023·05 | 'Woman in a Burlap Sack, New York' | $20,000–$30,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2023·04 | ‘Harlequin Dress (Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn)' | $200,000–$300,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2023·04 | Nude | Gelatin silver print, printed 1980 | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2023·04 | Two Nepal Women with Nose Rings | Platinum palladium print on BFK Rives paper on aluminum, printed 1979 | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2023·04 | Three-Tiered Vessel, New York, June 12 | $25,000–$35,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·04 | Crossing the River Styx (B), New York, Aug 5 | $15,000–$25,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·04 | Harlequin Dress (Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn) | $200,000–$300,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·04 | Cuzco Children | $60,000–$80,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2023·02 | 'Moments Preserved', 1960 | $243–$365 | Bonhams | |||
| 2022·12 | Schiaparelli Jacket with Tinsel and Glass | $14,753–$16,861 | Lempertz | |||
| 2022·11 | Mandrill | $11,897–$17,845 | Phillips | |||
| 2022·11 | Collapse | $11,897–$17,845 | Phillips | |||
| 2022·11 | 'Camel Pack' | $15,618–$20,824 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2022·11 | 'Cuzco Woman with High Shoes' | $18,742–$26,030 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2022·11 | 'Tree Pruner, New York' | $52,060–$72,884 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2022·11 | Frozen Foods, New York | $62,472–$83,296 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2022·11 | 'Iceland Poppy, Papaver Nudicaule (G), New York' | $31,236–$52,060 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2022·10 | Balthus (D), 1948/2002 | $1,387–$2,080 | Lyon & Turnbull | |||
| 2022·10 | Bee (A), New York, September | $60,000–$80,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2022·10 | Flat Glove, New York | $10,000–$15,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2022·10 | Vogue Beauty head with Eyes closed (front view), New York | $30,000–$50,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2022·10 | Sewing Machine with Bronze Head, 3 January | $12,000–$18,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2022·10 | Gypsy Family | $8,000–$12,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2022·10 | Seated Warrior, Reclining Girl, Cameroon | $15,000–$25,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2022·10 | Duchess of Windsor, New York, May | Gelatin silver print, printed July 1948 | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2022·10 | Black and White Vogue Cover (Jean Patchett, New York) | $120,000–$180,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2022·10 | '3 Women of Rissani’ | $30,000–$50,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2022·10 | Cat Woman (New Guinea) | $12,000–$18,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2022·10 | Duchess of Windsor, New York, May 27, 1948 | gelatin silver print | $20,000–$30,000 | upcoming | Christie's | |
| 2022·10 | Nude 150, 1949-1950 | platinum-palladium print, printed 1973 | $15,000–$25,000 | upcoming | Christie's | |
| 2022·10 | Undertaker, London, 1950 | platinum-palladium print, printed 1967 | $50,000–$70,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2022·10 | Isamu Noguchi, New York, December 20, 1983 | selenium toned gelatin silver print, mounted on board, printed 1984 | $12,000–$18,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2022·10 | Three Dahomey Girls (2), 1974 | platinum-palladium print, mounted on aluminum, printed 1974 | $15,000–$25,000 | upcoming | Christie's | |
| 2022·10 | Three Asaro Mud Men, New Guinea, 1970 | gelatin silver print, printed before 1975 | $20,000–$30,000 | upcoming | Christie's | |
| 2022·10 | Two Women in Black with Bread, Morocco, 1971 | platinum-palladium print, mounted on aluminum, printed 1986 | $40,000–$60,000 | upcoming | Christie's | |
| 2022·10 | Rose: Blue Moon, London, 1970 | dye transfer print, printed 1989 | $40,000–$60,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2022·10 | Navvy, London, 1950 | platinum-palladium print, printed 1976 | $20,000–$30,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2022·10 | Seine Rowboat, France, 1951 | pigment on porcelainized steel, printed 1969-1970 | $30,000–$50,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2022·10 | Picasso at La Californie, Cannes, 1957 | platinum-palladium print, printed 1968 | $50,000–$70,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2022·10 | Two Guedras, Morocco, 1971 | selenium toned gelatin silver print, mounted on board, printed 1984 | $15,000–$25,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2022·10 | Café in Lima, 'Vogue' fashion photograph (Jean Patchett), 1948 | $70,000–$90,000 | upcoming | Christie's | ||
| 2022·10 | Orchid, Rhyncholaelia Digbyana, New York, 1969 | dye transfer print, printed 1990 | $30,000–$50,000 | upcoming | Christie's | |
| 2022·10 | Mailman, 1950 | platinum-palladium print, mounted on aluminum, printed 1970 | $50,000–$70,000 | Christie's | ||
Realized prices are sold by the record: 50 for $19, non-expiring. Reading them at volume is what Starter is for.