> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/dial-thorton · updated 2026-11-01

# Dial, Thorton (1928–2016)

## What is Dial, Thorton’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 6 | $47,880 |
| Paintings | 8 | $16,250 |
| Works on paper | 21 | $5,625 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 10 | $43,750 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 24 | $5,745 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 35 results from 4 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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Data last updated 2026-11-01. OpeningBid tracks 15,222,099 auction lots from 571 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Dial, Thorton auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/dial-thorton (updated 2026-11-01).

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.