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

# Douglas Portway (1922–1993)

## What is Douglas Portway’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 59 auction results for Douglas Portway at 13 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $338 including buyer’s premium (middle half $164–$1,461, n=15). The auction record is $41,121 for Geometric Composition (2009, Strauss and Co). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | 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 | Figurative Abstract, 1966 | Oil on canvas | $2,792 | Strauss and Co | Nov 2015 |
| 10 | Abstract, 1961 | Oil on canvas | $1,780 | Shapiro Auctioneers | Sep 2026 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 18 | $2,286 |
| Works on paper | 8 | $520 |
| Prints | 9 | $283 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 20 | $1,265 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $441 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 59 results from 13 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Douglas Portway is a South African artist with 95 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $979. 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.

## What is a Douglas Portway work worth?

Across 53 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Douglas Portway work is $979.

The median Douglas Portway painting sells for $2,286 across 20 lots.

The median Douglas Portway work on paper sells for $500 across 16 lots.

The median Douglas Portway print sells for $212 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 | $212‡ | $979 | 92.3% | 2025-03-10 |
| Paintings | 22 | $2,286† | $41,121 | 90.9% | 2026-09-22 |
| Works on Paper | 17 | $500‡ | $1,620 | 94.1% | 2026-04-20 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $19,170 | $41,121 | — | 2009-09-07 |

† 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 $212 with 92.3% sell-through. Paintings (22 lots) median $2,286, record $41,121. A typical Douglas Portway painting sells for around 11× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 3 lots) the median is $19,170.

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

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Douglas Portway worth?

Across 53 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Douglas Portway work is $979. The median Douglas Portway painting sells for $2,286 across 20 lots. The median Douglas Portway work on paper sells for $500 across 16 lots. The median Douglas Portway print sells for $212 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 $2,286. 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 $212. 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.

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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, “Douglas Portway auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/douglas-portway (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.