John Wilson (1774–1855)
What is John Wilson’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 80 auction results for John Wilson at 12 houses since 1996. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,901 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,112–$5,063, n=6). The auction record is $15,000 for Sherry (2015, Swann Auction Galleries). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sherry, 2000 | Color pastels and charcoal on wove paper | $15,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2015 |
| 2 | Untitled (Two Boys in a Streetcar), 2015 | Gouache and watercolor on board | $11,875 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2018 |
| 3 | Self Portrait, No. 8, 2015 | Pencil and opaque marker on thin vellum paper | $10,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2023 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Richard Wright Suite, 2015 | Etchings with aquatint printed in blue and black on Rives BFK paper | $11,875 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2025 |
| 2 | Mother and Child, 1922 | Lithograph | $11,400 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2009 |
| 3 | Straphangers, 1922 | Lithograph on cream wove paper | $9,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2008 |
| 4 | Mother and Child, 1922 | Lithograph | $7,800 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2011 |
| 5 | Mother and Child, 2015 | Lithograph on wove paper | $7,250 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2022 |
| 6 | The Trial, 1951 | Lithograph | $6,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2018 |
| 7 | Mother and Child, 1922 | Lithograph on wove paper | $6,240 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2012 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Prints | 34 | $4,000 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 27 | $4,000 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 16 | $2,496 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 80 results from 12 houses · How we compute these figures
John Wilson is a British (modern) artist with 80 auction lots recorded since 1996, median price $2,450. 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 John Wilson sold in 2026 for $3,048, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full John Wilson record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View John Wilson on OpeningBid →What is a John Wilson work worth?
Across 66 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Wilson work is $2,450.
The median John Wilson print sells for $3,211 across 40 lots.
The median John Wilson painting sells for $354 across 25 lots.
The median John Wilson work on paper sells for $10,000 across 5 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) John Wilson prints typically sell for $3,000–$5,000 (the middle half of 25 sold 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 | 40 | $3,211† | $11,875 | — | 2026-10-01 |
| Paintings | 36 | $354†‡ | $15,000† | 69.4% | 2024-03-27 |
| Works on Paper | 5 | $10,000‡ | $15,000 | — | 2023-10-19 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $13,438† | $15,000 | — | 2025-04-03 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
John Wilson's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (40 lots) median $3,211. Paintings (36 lots) median $354, record $15,000. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $15,000 (buyer's premium not included). At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 4 lots) the median is $13,438.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 25 | $3,000–$5,000 | $4,000 | $11,875 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 15 | $1,112–$5,145† | $2,500† | $7,800 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $271–$480†‡ | $319†‡ | $4,687‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 13 | $313–$693† | $415† | $15,000† |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 1996 | $15,000† |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $15,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $11,875 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $11,875 |
| Prints & Editions | 2009 | $11,400 |
| Paintings | 2007 | $4,687‡ |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ 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 John Wilson worth?
Across 66 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Wilson work is $2,450. The median John Wilson print sells for $3,211 across 40 lots. The median John Wilson painting sells for $354 across 25 lots. The median John Wilson work on paper sells for $10,000 across 5 lots. Small (under 50 cm) John Wilson prints typically sell for $3,000–$5,000 (the middle half of 25 sold 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 John Wilson print?
Based on 40 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Wilson print is $3,211. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is John Wilson's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a John Wilson print is $11,875.
What is the average price of a John Wilson painting?
Based on 25 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Wilson painting is $354. 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 John Wilson's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a John Wilson painting is $15,000. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $15,000 (buyer's premium not included).
What is the average price of a small John Wilson print?
Based on 25 sold lots, the median auction price of a small John Wilson print (small (under 50 cm)) is $4,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is the average price of a medium John Wilson print?
Based on 15 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium John Wilson print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,500, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is John Wilson's auction record?
John Wilson's auction record is $15,000, set in 2015.
See the full John Wilson record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View John Wilson on OpeningBid →