Chuck Oberstein Sold at Auction Prices

b. 1935 - d. 2002

American artist Chuck Oberstein was born in Los Angeles in 1935. Following a stint in the Army, when he painted murals while stationed in England, and working as a jeweler, Oberstein began a lucrative career as a painter. Early on, his commissioned work focused largely on landscapes, but later Oberstein started painting clowns, for which he is now renowned.

As an artist, Chuck Oberstein worked with both acrylic and oil paints, and his work is available as limited edition prints and lithographs. Despite their cheerful and colorful appearance, some of Chuck Oberstein's paintings, such as Wall Street Clown, are a serious commentary on society. Collectors searching for Chuck Oberstein prints as well as those by other artists can browse Invaluable's catalog of portrait lithograph prints available online and at auction.

Read Full Artist Biography

0 Lots

Sort By:

Categories

Auction Date

Seller

Seller Location

Price Range

to
  • CHUCK OBERSTEIN OIL ON BOARD
    Feb. 20, 2023

    CHUCK OBERSTEIN OIL ON BOARD

    Est: $200 - $300

    CHUCK OBERSTEIN (California, 1935-2002) oil on board, sad clown. Signed lower right, 16" x 12" (image), 21.5" x 17.5" (wood frame).

    O'Gallerie
  • Chuck Oberstein (American 1935-2002) Original Oil Clown
    Jun. 04, 2022

    Chuck Oberstein (American 1935-2002) Original Oil Clown

    Est: $300 - $400

    Chuck Oberstein (American 1935-2002) Original Oil Clown: Canvas measures 12 x 15.75", framed measures 15 x 19". Oberstein is famous for his clown paintings.

    Dana J. Tharp Auctions
  • Chuck Oberstein (American 1935-2002) Original Oil Clown
    Jun. 04, 2022

    Chuck Oberstein (American 1935-2002) Original Oil Clown

    Est: $300 - $500

    Chuck Oberstein (American 1935-2002) Original Oil Clown: Canvas measures 12 x 15.75", framed measures 15 x 19". Oberstein is famous for his clown paintings.

    Dana J. Tharp Auctions
  • CHUCK OBERSTEIN "EMMETT LOVED MINK" OIL ON BOARD
    Mar. 13, 2022

    CHUCK OBERSTEIN "EMMETT LOVED MINK" OIL ON BOARD

    Est: -

    Chuck Oberstein (1935 - 2002) "Emmett Loved Mink" (The Late Emmett Kelly) Oil on Board. Oberstein is widely regarded as the definitive clown painter. He was sometimes called "The Magician" for his unique superimposing of clown faces and was known for his sparkling tear drop on his sad clowns, especially the Wall Street Journal Clown. Oberstein also painted seascapes, horses, portraits, children, and various other subjects, at first doing landscapes and still life. Chuck put the number 442 in his paintings, sometimes interestingly hidden and often obvious in reference to 442 Ackley St. Monterey Park, CA, the place where he first began to paint again after he returned from Europe. For many years he let collectors guess what the 442 was all about and loved not telling and just hearing their guesses. Oberstein believed clowns represent freedom, because they will do anything. He was a vegetarian and loved jazz, playing the piano, weight lifting, running, golf, skiing, body surfing, dancing, sports, tennis, dogs and horses, family and friends. His whimsical clowns represent the many things he loved in life as well as a deep spiritual knowing that comes through his lighter clowns in his later years. His portraits are of masterpiece quality similar to Rembrandt's style although he painted fewer of these and they are not in print. Artist: Chuck Oberstein Title: "Emmett Loved Mink" Medium: Oil on Board Circa/Year: 1979 Signature Type: Hand Signed Signature Location: Lower Right Site Measurement: 20x16 in. Keywords: Clown, portrait, circus; Ref: BD1108

    Bradford's
  • Chuck Oberstein (American 1935-2002) Original Oil Clown
    Jan. 29, 2022

    Chuck Oberstein (American 1935-2002) Original Oil Clown

    Est: $300 - $400

    Chuck Oberstein (American 1935-2002) Original Oil Clown: Canvas measures 12 x 15.75", framed measures 15 x 19". Oberstein is famous for his clown paintings.

    Dana J. Tharp Auctions
  • Chuck Oberstein (American 1935-2002) Original Oil Clown
    Jan. 29, 2022

    Chuck Oberstein (American 1935-2002) Original Oil Clown

    Est: $300 - $500

    Chuck Oberstein (American 1935-2002) Original Oil Clown: Canvas measures 12 x 15.75", framed measures 15 x 19". Oberstein is famous for his clown paintings.

    Dana J. Tharp Auctions
  • Painting, Oil on Canvas, Chuck Oberstein
    Sep. 12, 2021

    Painting, Oil on Canvas, Chuck Oberstein

    Est: $50 - $100

    Painting, Oil on Canvas, Chuck Oberstein, American (1935-2002). "Three Clowns". In Original Frame. Condition: Generally Good Condition. Dimensions: Sight: 24" x 20". Frame: 31" x 27". Provenance: From a South Shore Long Island NY Home. Please note the absence of a condition report does not imply that there are no condition issues with this lot. Please contact us for a detailed condition report.

    World Auction Gallery
  • Chuck Oberstein Clown Painting Print
    Jul. 16, 2021

    Chuck Oberstein Clown Painting Print

    Est: $5 - $100

    Good condition overall

    Plain City Auction
  • Chuck Oberstein (1935-2002, Californian)
    May. 19, 2021

    Chuck Oberstein (1935-2002, Californian)

    Est: $200 - $300

    Chuck Oberstein (1935-2002, Californian) Two works Three clowns Oil on canvas Signed lower left: Chuck Oberstein, and with the artist's reproduction rights stamp verso 16" H x 20" W Sad clown Oil on canvas Signed lower left: Chuck Oberstein, and with the artist's reproduction rights stamp verso 10" H x 8" W

    John Moran Auctioneers
  • Chuck Oberstein (1935-2012) Oil On Canvas
    Nov. 07, 2020

    Chuck Oberstein (1935-2012) Oil On Canvas

    Est: -

    Signed In The Lower Right Hand Corner. Overall Good Condition. Frame Measures Approximately 28in X 24in. Art Measures Approximately 19in X 15in. Tm6262 Zh

    EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
  • Chuck Oberstein, (1935-2002, Californian), "Three clowns" and "Sad Clowns" (two works), Each: Oil on canvas "Sad Clown" Oil on canvas S
    Oct. 20, 2020

    Chuck Oberstein, (1935-2002, Californian), "Three clowns" and "Sad Clowns" (two works), Each: Oil on canvas "Sad Clown" Oil on canvas S

    Est: $300 - $500

    Chuck Oberstein (1935-2002, Californian) "Three clowns" and "Sad Clowns" (two works) Each: Oil on canvas "Sad Clown" Oil on canvas Signed lower right: Chuck Oberstein Each: Signed lower left: Chuck Oberstein Largest: 16" H x 20" W

    John Moran Auctioneers
  • Chuck Oberstein (1935 - 2002)
    Jun. 17, 2017

    Chuck Oberstein (1935 - 2002)

    Est: $200 - $400

    Chuck Oberstein (1935 - 2002) clown painting. Oil on canvas. Signed in lower margin. Overall Size: 24 x 20 in. This item is framed behind glass.

    Sarasota Estate Auction
  • Chuck Oberstein (1935 - 2002)
    Mar. 26, 2017

    Chuck Oberstein (1935 - 2002)

    Est: $200 - $400

    Chuck Oberstein (1935 - 2002) clown painting. Oil on canvas. Signed in lower margin. Overall Size: 24 x 20 in. This item is framed behind glass.

    Sarasota Estate Auction
  • ORIGINAL OBERSTEIN CLOWN PAINTING 12.5 BY 14.5 "
    Sep. 13, 2015

    ORIGINAL OBERSTEIN CLOWN PAINTING 12.5 BY 14.5 "

    Est: $100 - $200

    Original oil painting by Chuck Oberstein (1935-2002). American artist best known for his clown paintings. This small framed work depicts a clown looking directly at the viewer. The artist uses warm colors to create highlights in the portrait. The image measures 6.5 by 4.5 inches. Signed on lower left corner. Item in very good condition.

    Affiliated Auctions & Realty LLC
  • 33"x39" Oberstein Nude Woman
    May. 03, 2014

    33"x39" Oberstein Nude Woman

    Est: -

    33"x39" Oberstein Nude Woman

    James R. Cash II Auctions and Real Estate
  • Oberstein Nude Woman Painting; frame 38"x24"
    May. 03, 2014

    Oberstein Nude Woman Painting; frame 38"x24"

    Est: -

    Oberstein Nude Woman Painting; frame 38"x24"

    James R. Cash II Auctions and Real Estate
  • Chuck Oberstein, signed; Frame 29"x32"
    May. 03, 2014

    Chuck Oberstein, signed; Frame 29"x32"

    Est: -

    Chuck Oberstein, signed; Frame 29"x32"

    James R. Cash II Auctions and Real Estate
  • Chuck Oberstein Framed Print 28"x32"
    May. 03, 2014

    Chuck Oberstein Framed Print 28"x32"

    Est: -

    Chuck Oberstein Framed Print 28"x32"

    James R. Cash II Auctions and Real Estate
Lots Per Page:

Popular Artists

Devices

Get Invaluable on Your Phone

Download the app via text link to get instantly notified if you’re outbid and receive auction reminders so you never miss out!

Bid On-the-Go!

Download the Invaluable app and never miss an auction from your iOS or Android device.

App Store badgeGoogle Play badge
Invaluable Logo

As the world's leading online auction marketplace, thousands of auction houses use Invaluable to deepen relationships with millions of clients around the world. Stay connected to the things you love with curated items and auctions sent to your inbox.

You can unsubscribe at any time. View ourPrivacy Policy.

© 1986-2025 Invaluable, LLC. and participating auction houses. All Rights Reserved.

TermsSubscription AgreementPrivacy PolicyCopyrightGDPR InfoPrivacy ChoiceYour Privacy ChoicesSite Map