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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96 realized prices on this page are locked. A Research Pass reads 50 of them for $19, once — buy a pass | ||||||
| 2022·07 | André Eglevsky and Alicia Alonso, New York Ballet | $5,000–$7,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2022·07 | Nude 55 | $10,000–$15,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2022·06 | Fish made of Fish (New York) | $12,854–$16,068 | Lempertz | |||
| 2022·05 | Cocoa Dress (Balenciaga), Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn, Paris | $43,726–$56,219 | Phillips | |||
| 2022·05 | Bedside Lamp, New York | $49,972–$74,959 | Phillips | |||
| 2022·05 | Sore Foot, Jean Patchett, Lima, Peru | $37,479–$62,466 | Phillips | |||
| 2022·05 | John Marin | Platinum palladium print on Wiggins Teape paper, printed 1971 | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2022·05 | Station Sweeper, New York, 1951 | $75,040–$96,480 | Christie's | |||
| 2022·05 | Christian Lacroix, Duchesse satin dress, Paris, 1995 | $42,880–$64,320 | Christie's | |||
| 2022·05 | Vogue Fashion Photograph (Veruchka), New York, 1963 | $16,080–$21,440 | Christie's | |||
| 2022·05 | Cigarettes No. 42, 1974 | $21,440–$32,160 | Christie's | |||
| 2022·05 | Camel, Národní Museum, Prague, 1986 | $19,296–$26,800 | Christie's | |||
| 2022·05 | Cigarettes No. 17, New York, 1974 | $21,440–$32,160 | Christie's | |||
| 2022·05 | Tuberous Begonia (New York), 1973 | $42,880–$64,320 | Christie's | |||
| 2022·05 | Duchess of Windsor, New York, May | Gelatin silver print, printed July 1948 | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2022·05 | Nude 151 | $8,695–$12,422 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2022·05 | Steinberg in Nose Mask | $12,422–$18,633 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2022·05 | Poppy: Burgundy (New York, 1968) | pigment print, flush-mounted on board | $60,000–$80,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2022·04 | 'Cat Woman, New Guinea' | $20,000–$30,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2022·04 | ‘Picasso (B) Cannes’ | $30,000–$50,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2022·04 | 'Marchand de Concombres, Paris' | $20,000–$30,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2022·04 | Cigarette No. 17 | $25,000–$35,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2022·04 | '3 Women of Rissani’ | $40,000–$60,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2022·04 | Lorry Washers, London | $50,000–$70,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2022·04 | Cloth with Can Tab, New York | $12,000–$15,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2022·04 | Bird Bones, Sweden, 1980 | platinum-palladium print, flush-mounted on aluminum, printed 1981 | $12,000–$18,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2022·04 | Three Asaro Mud Men, New Guinea, 1970 | gelatin silver print, mounted on board, printed before 1975 | $25,000–$35,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2022·04 | Ospedale, 1980 | platinum-palladium print, flush-mounted on aluminum, printed 1981 | $12,000–$18,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2022·04 | Six Dahomey Girls, 1967 | platinum-palladium print, printed 1968 | $20,000–$30,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2022·04 | Bird and Fish Bones, 1980 | platinum-palladium print, flush-mounted on aluminum, printed 1981 | $12,000–$18,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2022·04 | Woman with Three Tribesmen, Andagalimp, 1970 | gelatin silver print, mounted on board, printed before 1975 | $15,000–$25,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2022·04 | A Cry, 1980 | platinum-palladium print, flush-mounted on aluminum, printed 1982 | $12,000–$18,000 | upcoming | Christie's | |
| 2022·04 | Sitting Woman, New Guinea, 1970 | selenium toned gelatin silver print, mounted on board, printed 1984 | $15,000–$25,000 | upcoming | Christie's | |
| 2022·04 | Nubile Young Beauty of Diamaré, Cameroon, 1969 | platinum-palladium print, mounted on aluminum, printed 1980 | $20,000–$30,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2022·04 | Bena Family, New Guinea, 1970 | selenium toned gelatin silver print, printed 1984 | $15,000–$25,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2022·04 | Girl and Two Children, Andagalimp, New Guinea, 1970 | selenium toned gelatin silver print, printed 1984 | $15,000–$25,000 | upcoming | Christie's | |
| 2022·04 | Man with Pink Face, New Guinea, 1970 | platinum-palladium print, mounted on aluminum, printed 1978 | $20,000–$30,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2022·04 | Four Guedras, Morocco, 1971 | selenium toned gelatin silver print, mounted on board, printed 1984 | $40,000–$60,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2022·04 | Two Nepal Women with Nose Rings | $15,000–$20,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2022·04 | Woman in Chicken Hat (Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn) (A), New York | $80,000–$120,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2022·04 | Two Miyake Warriors (B), New York, June 3 | $30,000–$50,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2022·04 | Two Guedras, Morocco | $15,000–$20,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2022·04 | Man Fishing from Bank of Seine | $15,000–$25,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2022·04 | Charles James, New York, February 28, 1948 | gelatin silver print, mounted on board | $15,000–$25,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2022·04 | Cuzco Children, Peru 1948 | gelatin silver print, printed before 1975 | $30,000–$50,000 | upcoming | Christie's | |
| 2022·04 | White Brocade Dress, Jean Patchett, c. 1949 | gelatin silver print | $10,000–$15,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2022·04 | Veiled Hat (Evelyn Tripp), New York, 1949 | gelatin silver print, mounted on board | $15,000–$25,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2022·04 | Vionnet Lampshade Dress, 1977 | platinum-palladium print, mounted on aluminum, printed 1978 | $12,000–$18,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2021·11 | Engine Driver, London | $53,496–$80,245 | Phillips | |||
| 2021·11 | Tinker, London | $66,871–$93,619 | Phillips | |||
| 2021·11 | Milkman (A), New York | $40,122–$66,871 | Phillips | |||
| 2021·11 | Station Sweeper, New York | $66,871–$93,619 | Phillips | |||
| 2021·11 | Three Rissani Women with Bread | $40,122–$66,871 | Phillips | |||
| 2021·11 | Girl behind glass (Jean Patchett), New York | $53,496–$80,245 | Phillips | |||
| 2021·11 | Barber, New York | $40,122–$66,871 | Phillips | |||
| 2021·11 | House Painter (B), London | $40,122–$66,871 | Phillips | |||
| 2021·11 | Iceman, New York | $53,496–$80,245 | Phillips | |||
| 2021·11 | Locomotive Fireman, London | $53,496–$80,245 | Phillips | |||
| 2021·11 | Rockette, New York | $53,496–$80,245 | Phillips | |||
| 2021·11 | Hunter, New York | $53,496–$80,245 | Phillips | |||
| 2021·11 | 'Dahomey Children', 1967 | $9,414–$13,448 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2021·11 | John Huston, New York, February 7, 1980 | $13,892–$20,839 | Christie's | |||
| 2021·11 | Cigarette No. 111, New York, 1972 | $23,154–$34,731 | Christie's | |||
| 2021·11 | Cigarette No. 65, New York, 1972 | $23,154–$34,731 | Christie's | |||
| 2021·11 | Woman with Handkerchief (Jean Patchett), New York, 1951 | $13,892–$20,839 | Christie's | |||
| 2021·10 | Georgia O’Keeffe | $18,000–$22,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2021·10 | Vogue Beauty head with Eyes closed (front view), New York | $40,000–$60,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2021·10 | Sitting Nude Rear, New York | $35,000–$45,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2021·10 | Construction Leftovers , 1980 | platinum-palladium print, flush-mounted on aluminum, printed 1980 | $15,000–$25,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2021·10 | Guedras in the Wind, Morocco, 1971 | platinum-palladium print, mounted on aluminum, printed July 1978 | $40,000–$60,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2021·10 | Iceland Poppy/Papaver nudicaule, New York, 2006 | pigment print, flush-mounted on board | $25,000–$35,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2021·10 | Four-Eyed Beauty, New York, 1960s | Cibachrome print, printed 1985-1986 | $15,000–$25,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2021·10 | Orchid, Rhyncholaelia Digbyana, New York, 1969 | dye transfer print, printed 1990 | $30,000–$50,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2021·10 | 'I. B. Singer (New York' (Isaac Bashevis Singer) | $7,000–$10,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2021·10 | Nude 55 | $15,000–$25,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2021·10 | 'Football Face, New York, Sept. 24, 2002' | $60,000–$90,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2021·10 | 'Young Orangutan and Coconut (New York, Oct 12, 2004)' | $8,000–$12,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2021·10 | Cigarette No. 17, New York | $10,000–$15,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2021·10 | 'Two Rissani Women, One with Bread, One with Child (Morocco, 1971)' | $30,000–$50,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2021·10 | Four Guedras (Morocco) | $40,000–$60,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2021·09 | Tatiana Liberman | $3,000–$5,000 | Rago | |||
| 2021·09 | Yves Saint Laurent, Braque Inspired Fashion, Katoucha Niane, Paris , 1988 | pigment prints | $6,000–$8,000 | Freeman's | Hindman | ||
| 2021·07 | Nude 147, 1950 | $23,716–$35,574 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2021·06 | Iceland Poppy / Papaver Nudicaule, New York, 2006 | $35,664–$59,440 | Christie's | |||
| 2021·06 | Still Life with Clam, Fish and Oyster, New York, 1966 | $9,510–$14,266 | Christie's | |||
| 2021·06 | The Angel, 1946 | $8,322–$10,699 | Christie's | |||
| 2021·06 | Black and White Vogue Cover (Jean Patchett), New York, 1950 | $95,104–$142,656 | Christie's | |||
| 2021·05 | 'Ballet Theatre', New York, 1947 | $9,887–$14,124 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2021·04 | 'Harlequin Dress' | $200,000–$300,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2021·04 | Four Guedras (Morocco) | $50,000–$70,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2021·04 | Estuche | $25,000–$35,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2021·04 | Still Life (with Mouse), New York | $7,000–$9,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2021·04 | John Marin, New York | $2,500–$3,500 | Phillips | |||
| 2021·04 | 'Yves St. Laurent, Paris' | $10,000–$15,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2021·04 | 'Miles Davis, Hand and Trumpet, New York' | $80,000–$120,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2021·04 | 'Three Asaro Mudmen, New Guinea' | $25,000–$35,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2021·04 | 'Igor Stravinsky, New York' | $10,000–$15,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2020·11 | Workman, London, 1950 | $70,848–$94,464 | Christie's | |||
| 2020·11 | Claude Levi-Strauss, Burgundy, France, 1970 | $17,712–$23,616 | Christie's | |||
| 2020·11 | The Poor Lovers, 1979 | $23,616–$35,424 | Christie's | |||
Realized prices are sold by the record: 50 for $19, non-expiring. Reading them at volume is what Starter is for.