George Frederick Watts (1817–1904)
What is George Frederick Watts’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 35 auction results for George Frederick Watts at 13 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $836 including buyer’s premium (middle half $679–$9,043, n=5). The auction record is $237,189 for Physical Energy (2025, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physical Energy | Bronze | $237,189 | Sotheby's | Dec 2025 |
| 2 | Clytie, 1817 | Painted plaster | $107,395 | Christie's | Dec 2014 |
| 3 | PORTRAIT OF MISS LILIAN MACINTOSH | Oil on canvas, framed as an oval | $80,639 | Sotheby's | May 2007 |
| 4 | Hero, 1817 | Painting | $55,385 | Bonhams | Mar 2021 |
| 5 | Head study of Henry Wyndham Phillips (1801-1876), bust-length, 1817 | Black chalk | $50,750 | Christie's | Jun 2015 |
| 6 | Forward!, 1817 | Black chalk | $33,670 | Christie's | Nov 2004 |
| 7 | Portrait of Emma Elizabeth Brandling, later Lady Lilford, 1817 | Oil paint | $20,506 | Christie's | Dec 2013 |
| 8 | Study for the figure of Diana in the fresco 'Apollo and Diana', 1817 | Oil paint | $12,730 | Christie's | Jun 2014 |
| 9 | A spaniel with a rat, 1817 | Painting | $10,424 | Bonhams | Sep 2010 |
| 10 | The Three Graces - a study of three classical figures | Grisaille oil sketch on canvas | $9,043 | Sworders | Nov 2024 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 7 | $9,043 |
| Other | 11 | $3,008 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 8 | $9,545 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $1,443 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 35 results from 13 houses · How we compute these figures
George Frederick Watts is a British (modern) artist with 44 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $3,008. 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 George Frederick Watts sold in 2025 for $237,189, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full George Frederick Watts record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View George Frederick Watts on OpeningBid →What is a George Frederick Watts work worth?
Across 34 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a George Frederick Watts work is $3,008.
The median George Frederick Watts work on paper sells for $638 across 13 lots.
The median George Frederick Watts painting sells for $16,618 across 9 lots.
The median George Frederick Watts print sells for $72 across 4 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 | 5 | $72†‡ | $276‡ | 80% | 2020-07-31 |
| Paintings | 13 | $16,618‡ | $55,385 | 69.2% | 2023-10-04 |
| Works on Paper | 14 | $638‡ | $50,750 | 92.9% | 2026-02-11 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2 | $172,292 | $237,189 | — | 2025-12-04 |
| Photography | 2 | $592 | $592 | 50% | 2016-06-12 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
George Frederick Watts's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (5 lots) median $72 with 80% sell-through. Paintings (13 lots) median $16,618, record $55,385. A typical George Frederick Watts painting sells for around 230× the price of a typical print.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $10,857–$27,198‡ | $16,330‡ | $31,602‡ |
‡ 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) | 9 | $331–$1,443‡ | $575‡ | $33,670 |
‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $237,189 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2014 | $107,395 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $55,385 |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $50,750 |
| Works on Paper | 2004 | $33,670 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $31,602‡ |
| Photography | 2016 | $592 |
| Prints & Editions | 2020 | $276‡ |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a George Frederick Watts worth?
Across 34 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a George Frederick Watts work is $3,008. The median George Frederick Watts work on paper sells for $638 across 13 lots. The median George Frederick Watts painting sells for $16,618 across 9 lots. The median George Frederick Watts print sells for $72 across 4 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 George Frederick Watts work on paper?
Based on 13 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a George Frederick Watts work on paper is $638. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is George Frederick Watts's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a George Frederick Watts work on paper is $50,750.
What is the average price of a George Frederick Watts painting?
Based on 9 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a George Frederick Watts painting is $16,618. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is George Frederick Watts's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a George Frederick Watts painting is $55,385.
What is George Frederick Watts's auction record?
George Frederick Watts's auction record is $237,189, set in 2025.
See the full George Frederick Watts record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View George Frederick Watts on OpeningBid →