How Much Is Irises Worth?

Estimated value (theoretical, if offered today): $200–300 million. Irises (1889) is a peak Saint‑Rémy masterpiece and one of Van Gogh’s most widely recognized images—attributes that place it above the artist’s recent public auction benchmarks. The work’s canonical status, prime date, highly appealing floral subject, and institutional-level quality together argue for a substantial trophy premium in a competitive sale.

Anchors and comparables. The painting set a world auction record in 1987 at $53.9 million at Sotheby’s New York [2]. On a CPI basis, that figure equates to roughly the mid‑$150 millions today, providing a rigorous floor reference before considering market appreciation for blue‑chip trophies [3]. The current public auction record for Van Gogh—Orchard with Cypresses (1888)—stands at $117.18 million (Christie’s, 2022) [4]. Important Saint‑Rémy‑period oils have realized $81.31 million (Laboureur dans un champ, 2017) and $71.35 million (Cabanes de bois…, 2021) [6][5]. Irises, painted in 1889 and measuring approximately 74.3 × 94.3 cm (29 1/4 × 37 1/8 in.), sits above these comps in subject familiarity, visual impact, and cultural resonance [1].

Why Irises prices above the record band. Within Van Gogh’s oeuvre, only a handful of subjects—Starry Night, Sunflowers, Almond Blossom, and the most iconic portraits—rival Irises in global recognition. The composition’s celebrated white bloom set amid purple flowers is instantly identifiable, reproduced endlessly in scholarship and popular culture, and emblematic of the artist’s late style. That fame adds a material “trophy premium” on top of price signals from recent sales. Moreover, supply of museum‑grade, late‑1880s oils is exceptionally tight; when they appear, bidding depth is broad and international [4][5][6].

Provenance and market positioning. After the 1987 sale, the J. Paul Getty Museum acquired Irises in 1990 via private transaction (price undisclosed) [7]. Decades of museum stewardship elevate the work’s visibility and perceived quality, while its unimpeachable provenance underpins buyer confidence [1][7]. Though the global auction market softened for many $10m+ lots in 2024, the top end for canonical masterpieces re‑accelerated in 2025, highlighted by a $236.4 million Klimt and renewed depth across Modern evening sales—evidence that true trophies remain a safe‑haven segment [8][9].

Condition and technical note. The Getty has published research on color change in certain violet pigments used by Van Gogh, including in Irises, reflecting responsible, ongoing conservation stewardship [10]. No structural concerns have been publicly reported by the museum; in the absence of condition impediments, this scholarship should not suppress value and may even strengthen buyer assurance through transparency and documentation.

Conclusion. Triangulating the inflation‑adjusted 1987 record, the $70–117 million band of recent top public results, Irises’ unmatched subject fame, and the present appetite for blue‑chip, museum‑grade trophies supports a confident range of $200–300 million in today’s market [2][3][4][5][6].