Dial, Thorton (1928–2016)
What is Dial, Thorton’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 35 auction results for Dial, Thorton at 4 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $5,865 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,540–$48,260, n=5). The auction record is $125,000 for Almost Black (2020, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Almost Black, 1928 | Clothing, tin, oil, enamel and spray paint on canvas laid down on wood | $125,000 | Christie's | Jan 2020 |
| 2 | The Beginning of the World, 1928 | Mixed media | $75,000 | Christie's | Jan 2020 |
| 3 | The Clouds at Ground Level, 2003 | Spray paint | $50,800 | Rago Arts | Nov 2025 |
| 4 | Back Home, 2012 | Enamel | $48,260 | Rago Arts | Nov 2025 |
| 5 | Scratches, 1928 | Mixed media | $47,500 | Christie's | Jan 2020 |
| 6 | Hard Labor, 1928 | Carpet, rope, metal, fabric, industrial modeling compound and paint on plywood | $40,000 | Christie's | Jan 2016 |
| 7 | Woman with Tiger Cat, 1990 | Oil paint | $33,460 | Christie's | Jan 2003 |
| 8 | Fishing for Love, 1928 | Enamel | $21,250 | Christie's | Sep 2016 |
| 9 | Open Windows, 1928 | Enamel, towels, tin, rope, carpet and industrial sealing compound on canvas mounted on wood | $20,000 | Christie's | Sep 2016 |
| 10 | The Tiger Will Stand By His Lady, 1928 | Oil paint | $17,500 | Christie's | Jan 2020 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 6 | $47,880 |
| Paintings | 8 | $16,250 |
| Works on paper | 21 | $5,625 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 10 | $43,750 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 24 | $5,745 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 35 results from 4 houses · How we compute these figures
Dial, Thorton is an American artist with 37 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $8,320.
A work by Dial, Thorton sold in 2025 for $50,800, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Dial, Thorton record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Dial, Thorton on OpeningBid →What is a Dial, Thorton work worth?
Across 35 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Dial, Thorton work is $8,320.
The median Dial, Thorton painting sells for $9,688 across 16 lots.
The median Dial, Thorton work on paper sells for $5,625 across 15 lots.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 18 | $9,688 | $125,000 | 88.9% | 2026-03-25 |
| Works on Paper | 15 | $5,625 | $11,875 | — | 2025-06-26 |
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $4,160–$9,375 | $6,250 | $15,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $20,312–$46,465 | $27,355 | $125,000 |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 15 | $3,125–$8,848 | $5,625 | $11,875 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2020 | $125,000 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $50,800 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $11,875 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $10,000 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Dial, Thorton worth?
Across 35 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Dial, Thorton work is $8,320. The median Dial, Thorton painting sells for $9,688 across 16 lots. The median Dial, Thorton work on paper sells for $5,625 across 15 lots.
What is the average price of a Dial, Thorton painting?
Based on 16 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Dial, Thorton painting is $9,688.
What is Dial, Thorton's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Dial, Thorton painting is $125,000.
What is the average price of a Dial, Thorton work on paper?
Based on 15 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Dial, Thorton work on paper is $5,625.
What is Dial, Thorton's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Dial, Thorton work on paper is $11,875.
What is the average price of a medium Dial, Thorton work on paper?
Based on 15 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Dial, Thorton work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $5,625, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Dial, Thorton's auction record?
Dial, Thorton's auction record is $125,000, set in 2020.
See the full Dial, Thorton record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Dial, Thorton on OpeningBid →