Willem De Kooning Auction Prices and Value Guide

Willem De Kooning auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 3,379 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.

Willem De Kooning auction prices: quick answer

Willem De Kooning auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.

Artist
Willem De Kooning
Source records
3,379
Market update
2026-02-06

Artist context

About Willem De Kooning

Willem de Kooning (1904–1997) was a Dutch-American painter and sculptor recognized as one of the central figures of Abstract Expressionism. Born in Rotterdam, he emigrated to the United States in 1926 and became a naturalized citizen in 1962. Settling in New York, he joined the circle of artists associated with the New York School and was identified with the group known as the Irascibles. De Kooning's practice spanned painting, drawing, and sculpture, and he is particularly known for his volatile brushwork and the tension between figuration and abstraction. His Woman series of the early 1950s provoked intense critical debate and became landmarks of postwar American art. Over a career lasting more than five decades, de Kooning remained a dominant presence in postwar and contemporary art, and his works are held in major museum collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Tate, and the Rijksmuseum.

Abstract ExpressionismOil paintingSculptureDrawingFemale figures (Woman series)Abstract compositionsLandscapes

Common works and media

De Kooning's output includes large-scale oil paintings, works on paper (charcoal, pastel, and graphite drawings), and bronze sculptures. The most commonly encountered works at auction are paintings from the Woman series, abstract urban landscapes from the 1950s and 1960s, and untitled drawings. Bronze editions of his sculptural figures also circulate. Prints and lithographs exist but are less common relative to unique works.

Market and appraisal context

Willem de Kooning is among the most traded Abstract Expressionist artists at auction, with thousands of lots recorded across major houses. Key valuation factors include the period of execution, medium, scale, provenance history, and condition. Large oil paintings from the 1950s—particularly the Woman series—are the most actively sought. Works on paper, bronze sculptures, and later canvases also appear regularly. Attribution questions have surrounded some late-period works, so catalogue raisonné verification and documented provenance are essential steps in any appraisal. The depth of his auction record provides substantial comparable data for valuation, though results vary widely by quality and period.

Auction categories and appraisal factors

Appraisal caveats

  • The artist's late-period output (1980s) has been the subject of attribution debates; collectors should verify works against the catalogue raisonné.
  • With over 3,000 recorded auction appearances, the market is deep but varies significantly by period, medium, and quality.

Evidence

Sources for artist context

This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.

Source-grounded artist Markdown

Data basis

This page is built from Appraisily's public auction market index. Private transactions, incomplete sale feeds, and attribution changes may not be fully represented.

LLM-readable Markdown summary for Willem De Kooning

Artist value FAQ

How much is Willem De Kooning worth?

Comparable public auction sales are the best starting point, but final value depends on the specific artwork, condition, size, medium, provenance, and attribution confidence.

Can Appraisily value my Willem De Kooning artwork?

Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.