Artist Value Guide
What is artwork by famous artists worth?
Artist identity is one of the biggest factors in determining artwork value. A signed Picasso print and an unsigned regional landscape exist in completely different markets. Browse our guides to 25 collected artists, or upload photos for a free valuation — even if your artist isn't listed.
Artist directory
Each guide covers what drives value for that artist — which mediums are most collectible, how originals compare to prints, condition factors, and recent market trends. Click any artist to learn more.
What determines an artist's market value
Even within a single artist's body of work, prices can vary dramatically. Here's what separates a $500 piece from a $50,000 one.
Authenticity
Is it genuinely by the artist, or a reproduction, later edition, studio production, or outright fake? For major artists, authentication can make or break value. A confirmed Warhol screenprint is worth tens of thousands; an unauthorized reproduction is worth almost nothing. See our guide on original vs print artwork for how to tell the difference.
Medium and format
Oil paintings typically command the highest prices, followed by works on paper (drawings, watercolors, gouache), then prints. But format matters within prints too — a hand-signed, limited-edition lithograph is far more valuable than an unsigned poster. Edition size, signature, and whether it's an artist proof all affect price.
Condition
Cracking, fading, tears, foxing, water damage, or overcleaning reduce value significantly — even for famous artists. A pristine Chagall lithograph will outsell a damaged one by a wide margin. If you're considering selling artwork, condition is one of the first things buyers evaluate.
Subject and period
Collectors often prefer iconic subjects and prime periods. A Monet water lily painting is more desirable than an early figure study. A Haring subway drawing from the 1980s commands more than a late commercial piece. Market demand shifts by subject, and some periods are simply more collected than others.
Comparable sales
Recent auction results for similar works anchor any valuation. We research what comparable pieces by the same artist — in the same medium, size range, and condition — have actually sold for, not just what they're listed at. This is the foundation of a realistic art appraisal.
Don't see your artist listed?
Many valuable works come from lesser-known, regional, or emerging artists not yet in our directory. Upload your artwork for a free valuation — we research every submission individually.