Record Prices for Original Jackson Pollock Paintings
The most expensive original Jackson Pollock painting sold at auction is "Number 17A," which fetched $200 million in a private sale in 2016, as reported by Forbes. Public auction records for Pollock canvases typically range from $12 million to $50 million, depending on size, period, and provenance. These figures place Pollock among the top-tier modern artists by market value.
In 2023, Sotheby's and Christie's listed several Pollock works with estimates between $15 million and $45 million. The 2022 sale of "Convergence" at Christie's New York realized $32 million, reflecting sustained demand from institutional collectors. Auction house archives and public sales data provide the clearest benchmarks for current valuation ranges.
Factors That Determine the Price of a Pollock Painting
Provenance, Period, and Medium
Paintings from Pollock's drip period (1947–1950) command the highest premiums, especially those with documented exhibition history and gallery ownership records. Works on canvas rather than paper, and larger formats, consistently achieve higher prices at major auction houses.
Authentication by the Pollock-Krasner Foundation and catalogue raisonné inclusion are critical for value. Paintings with clear ownership chains tied to prominent collectors or museums receive stronger bids. Condition reports and conservation history also factor into final hammer prices.
Where to Verify Pollock Painting Values
Public Market Data Sources
Artprice, Artnet, and MutualArt publish searchable sales databases with verified hammer prices and estimates for Pollock works. These platforms aggregate public auction results and provide price-per-square-inch metrics used by advisors and institutions.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing archives include disclosures from art-market investment vehicles that hold Pollock works, offering indirect valuation clues. For direct transaction data, Sotheby's and Christie's public results pages remain the primary reference for recent sales.