> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bob-thompson · updated 2026-11-03

# Bob Thompson (1937–1966)

## What is Bob Thompson’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 101 auction results for Bob Thompson at 10 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $109,815 including buyer’s premium (middle half $12,323–$363,800, n=14). The auction record is $1,260,000 for Music Lesson (2024, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

**Top auction records: paintings, drawings & sculpture**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Music Lesson, 1962 | Oil paint | $1,260,000 | Christie's | May 2024 |
| 2 | Nativity Scene, 1964 | Oil paint | $870,000 | Sotheby's | Sep 2024 |
| 3 | I See, 1960 | Oil paint | $693,000 | Christie's | May 2025 |
| 4 | The Recreation of Cephalus and Procris, 1965 | Oil paint | $529,200 | Christie's | Oct 2024 |
| 5 | La Gamme d'Amour, 1965 | Oil paint | $504,000 | Christie's | Feb 2025 |
| 6 | The Good Samaritan, 1965 | Oil on canvas | $473,600 | Christie's | Oct 2026 |
| 7 | Balling, 1960 | Painting | $396,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2024 |
| 8 | Upside-Down Man on Donkey (Dream), 1963 | Oil on canvas | $390,372 | Christie's | Nov 2004 |
| 9 | Meeting Man, 1965 | Oil paint | $327,600 | Christie's | May 2023 |
| 10 | Horseman of the Queen of Sheba, 1937 | Pastel and crayon on paper laid on canvas | $267,200 | Bonhams | May 2026 |


**Median price by medium (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 51 | $45,410 |
| Other | 7 | $36,750 |
| Works on paper | 37 | $10,795 |

**Median price by size (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $267,200 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 32 | $29,950 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 54 | $16,250 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 101 results from 10 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Bob Thompson is an American artist with 114 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $20,640. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Bob Thompson sold in 2026 for $473,600, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Bob Thompson work worth?

Across 101 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bob Thompson work is $20,640.

The median Bob Thompson painting sells for $49,765 across 50 lots.

The median Bob Thompson work on paper sells for $10,600 across 34 lots.

The median Bob Thompson print sells for $7,440 across 3 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Bob Thompson paintings typically sell for $18,750–$88,200 (the middle half of 23 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Bob Thompson work on papers typically sell for $3,600–$18,544 (the middle half of 22 sold lots).

Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 3 | $7,440 | $11,610 | — | 2026-10-22 |
| Paintings | 51 | $49,765‡ | $1.3M | — | 2026-10-01 |
| Works on Paper | 36 | $10,600 | $267,200 | 94.4% | 2026-05-21 |
| Photography | 1 | $4,935 | $4,935 | — | 2000-11-07 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 22 | $234,100 | $1.3M | — | 2026-10-01 |

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

Bob Thompson's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (3 lots) median $7,440. Paintings (51 lots) median $49,765, record $1,260,000. A typical Bob Thompson painting sells for around 6.7× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 22 lots) the median is $234,100.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 23 | $18,750–$88,200 | $36,750 | $254,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 19 | $19,750–$270,900‡ | $63,500‡ | $529,200 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 8 | $88,500–$737,250 | $285,500 | $1.3M |

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 22 | $3,600–$18,544 | $10,312 | $107,100 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 11 | $7,342–$18,825 | $10,575 | $75,600 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2024 | $1.3M |
| Paintings | 2024 | $870,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $267,200 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $107,100 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $11,610 |
| Prints & Editions | 2010 | $7,440 |
| Photography | 2000 | $4,935 |

The highest recorded result in each medium. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Bob Thompson worth?

Across 101 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bob Thompson work is $20,640. The median Bob Thompson painting sells for $49,765 across 50 lots. The median Bob Thompson work on paper sells for $10,600 across 34 lots. The median Bob Thompson print sells for $7,440 across 3 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Bob Thompson paintings typically sell for $18,750–$88,200 (the middle half of 23 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Bob Thompson work on papers typically sell for $3,600–$18,544 (the middle half of 22 sold lots). Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Bob Thompson painting?

Based on 50 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Bob Thompson painting is $49,765. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Bob Thompson's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Bob Thompson painting is $1,260,000.

### What is the average price of a Bob Thompson work on paper?

Based on 34 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Bob Thompson work on paper is $10,600.

### What is Bob Thompson's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Bob Thompson work on paper is $267,200.

### What is the average price of a small Bob Thompson painting?

Based on 23 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Bob Thompson painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $36,750, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a small Bob Thompson work on paper?

Based on 22 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Bob Thompson work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $10,312, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Bob Thompson's auction record?

Bob Thompson's auction record is $1,260,000, set in 2024.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Bob Thompson auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bob-thompson (updated 2026-11-03).

Historical auction data, not investment advice. Prices are premium-inclusive USD where the buyer's premium is recorded. Figures marked † are hammer prices (buyer's premium not included); ‡ marks a price whose basis is not yet verified. Non-USD results are converted at the sale month's rate.