Douglas Portway (1922–1993)
What is Douglas Portway’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 58 auction results for Douglas Portway at 12 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $338 including buyer’s premium (middle half $159–$1,506, n=14). The auction record is $41,121 for Geometric Composition (2009, Strauss and Co). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geometric Composition, 1974 | Oil on canvas | $41,121 | Strauss and Co | Sep 2009 |
| 2 | Abstract, 1922 | Oil paint | $19,170 | Christie's | Jun 2007 |
| 3 | Red painting, 1922 | Oil paint | $12,229 | Christie's | Jun 2008 |
| 4 | Palma No. 9, 1962 | Mixed media on canvas | $6,513 | Strauss and Co | May 2021 |
| 5 | Untitled I, 1989 | Oil on canvas | $5,617 | Strauss and Co | Feb 2026 |
| 6 | Abstract with Vertical Lines, 1967 | Oil on canvas | $4,595 | Strauss and Co | May 2025 |
| 7 | Trinity 2 | Oil on canvas | $4,461 | Sotheby's | Mar 2022 |
| 8 | Blue painting (1966), 1922 | Oil on canvas | $3,249 | Bonhams | Mar 2017 |
| 9 | Abstract, 1961 | Oil on canvas | $1,780 | Shapiro Auctioneers | Sep 2026 |
| 10 | Le Sage, 1922 | Paper | $1,714 | Bonhams | Oct 2010 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 17 | $1,780 |
| Works on paper | 8 | $520 |
| Prints | 7 | $338 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 19 | $979 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $456 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 58 results from 12 houses · How we compute these figures
Douglas Portway is a South African artist with 94 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $980. 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 Douglas Portway sold in 2026 for $1,780, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Douglas Portway record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Douglas Portway on OpeningBid →What is a Douglas Portway work worth?
Across 52 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Douglas Portway work is $980.
The median Douglas Portway painting sells for $1,780 across 20 lots.
The median Douglas Portway work on paper sells for $500 across 16 lots.
The median Douglas Portway print sells for $189 across 12 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 | 13 | $189‡ | $979 | 92.3% | 2025-03-10 |
| Paintings | 22 | $1,780† | $41,121 | 90.9% | 2026-09-22 |
| Works on Paper | 17 | $500‡ | $1,620 | 94.1% | 2026-04-20 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Douglas Portway's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (13 lots) median $189 with 92.3% sell-through. Paintings (22 lots) median $1,780, record $41,121. A typical Douglas Portway painting sells for around 9.4× the price of a typical print.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 11 | $469–$4,204 | $1,714 | $19,170 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $3,544–$4,595† | $4,461† | $41,121 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $322–$793 | $500 | $1,620 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2009 | $41,121 |
| Paintings | 2007 | $19,170 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $1,620 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $982 |
| Prints & Editions | 2012 | $979 |
| Prints & Editions | 2013 | $470 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Douglas Portway worth?
Across 52 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Douglas Portway work is $980. The median Douglas Portway painting sells for $1,780 across 20 lots. The median Douglas Portway work on paper sells for $500 across 16 lots. The median Douglas Portway print sells for $189 across 12 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 Douglas Portway painting?
Based on 20 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Douglas Portway painting is $1,780. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Douglas Portway's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Douglas Portway painting is $41,121.
What is the average price of a Douglas Portway work on paper?
Based on 16 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Douglas Portway work on paper is $500. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Douglas Portway's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Douglas Portway work on paper is $1,620.
What is the average price of a Douglas Portway print?
Based on 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Douglas Portway print is $189. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Douglas Portway's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Douglas Portway print is $979.
What is the average price of a medium Douglas Portway painting?
Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Douglas Portway painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,714, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Douglas Portway's auction record?
Douglas Portway's auction record is $41,121, set in 2009.
See the full Douglas Portway record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Douglas Portway on OpeningBid →