> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/david-wilkie · updated 2026-11-02

# David Wilkie (1785–1841)

## What is David Wilkie’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 103 auction results for David Wilkie at 31 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,880 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,690–$2,065, n=5). The auction record is $182,226 for The Village Festival: a finished sketch (2021, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Village Festival: a finished sketch, 1785 | Sketch on panel | $182,226 | Christie's | Dec 2021 |
| 2 | The Errand Boy, 1785 | Oil on panel | $152,776 | Christie's | Jun 2006 |
| 3 | Portrait of the infant daughter of Admiral Walker, Commander of the Turkish Fleet | Pencil and watercolour | $92,642 | Sotheby's | Jul 2007 |
| 4 | Portrait of Admiral Walker, Commander of the Turkish Fleet | Pencil and watercolour heightened with bodycolour | $58,510 | Sotheby's | Jul 2007 |
| 5 | The rabbit on the wall, 1785 | Oil on panel | $40,944 | Christie's | Jun 2005 |
| 6 | An exhibition of old masters at the British Institution, 1785 | Oil on panel | $34,120 | Christie's | Jun 2005 |
| 7 | Diana and Actaeon, 1785 | Oil on panel | $31,845 | Christie's | Jun 2005 |
| 8 | The rabbit on the wall | Oil on panel | $30,278 | Christie's | Nov 2021 |
| 9 | A view of Cults, 1785 | Oil on paper, laid down on canvas | $28,205 | Christie's | Jun 2006 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Queen Victoria on horseback: a sketch, 1785 | Oil paint | $62,951 | Christie's | Dec 2021 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 30 | $6,776 |
| Prints | 7 | $2,465 |
| Works on paper | 23 | $1,880 |
| Other | 7 | $599 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 7 | $3,645 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 53 | $2,588 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 103 results from 31 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


David Wilkie is a British (modern) artist with 112 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $1,819. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by David Wilkie sold in 2026 for $1,880, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 David Wilkie work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [David Wilkie on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/david-wilkie?ref=kg:david-wilkie) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a David Wilkie work worth?

Across 96 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a David Wilkie work is $1,819.

The median David Wilkie painting sells for $3,303 across 38 lots.

The median David Wilkie work on paper sells for $635 across 39 lots.

The median David Wilkie print sells for $235 across 5 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) David Wilkie work on papers typically sell for $303–$2,448 (the middle half of 38 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) David Wilkie paintings typically sell for $487–$10,056 (the middle half of 28 sold lots).

Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 6 | $235 | $2,792 | 83.3% | 2015-04-21 |
| Paintings | 44 | $3,303†‡ | $182,226 | 86.4% | 2026-09-10 |
| Works on Paper | 41 | $635†‡ | $19,369 | 95.1% | 2026-03-27 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $77,796 | $182,226 | — | 2021-12-07 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

David Wilkie's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (6 lots) median $235 with 83.3% sell-through. Paintings (44 lots) median $3,303, record $182,226. A typical David Wilkie painting sells for around 14× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 6 lots) the median is $77,796.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 28 | $487–$10,056†‡ | $2,882†‡ | $182,226 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $1,712–$35,129†‡ | $3,537†‡ | $152,776 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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) | 38 | $303–$2,448†‡ | $626†‡ | $19,369 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2021 | $182,226 |
| Paintings | 2006 | $152,776 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $19,369 |
| Works on Paper | 2002 | $16,979 |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $2,792 |
| Prints & Editions | 2014 | $2,465 |

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 David Wilkie worth?

Across 96 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a David Wilkie work is $1,819. The median David Wilkie painting sells for $3,303 across 38 lots. The median David Wilkie work on paper sells for $635 across 39 lots. The median David Wilkie print sells for $235 across 5 lots. Small (under 50 cm) David Wilkie work on papers typically sell for $303–$2,448 (the middle half of 38 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) David Wilkie paintings typically sell for $487–$10,056 (the middle half of 28 sold lots). Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is the average price of a David Wilkie painting?

Based on 38 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a David Wilkie painting is $3,303. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is David Wilkie's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a David Wilkie painting is $182,226.

### What is the average price of a David Wilkie work on paper?

Based on 39 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a David Wilkie work on paper is $635. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is David Wilkie's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a David Wilkie work on paper is $19,369.

### What is the average price of a small David Wilkie work on paper?

Based on 38 sold lots, the median auction price of a small David Wilkie work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $626, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is the average price of a small David Wilkie painting?

Based on 28 sold lots, the median auction price of a small David Wilkie painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,882, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is David Wilkie's auction record?

David Wilkie's auction record is $182,226, set in 2021.

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Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “David Wilkie auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/david-wilkie (updated 2026-11-02).

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.