Rackstraw Downes (b. 1939)
What is Rackstraw Downes’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 17 auction results for Rackstraw Downes at 5 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $22,860 including buyer’s premium (middle half $20,390–$28,160, n=7). The auction record is $76,375 for In the High Island Oil Field; Afternoon, Late March (2000, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | In the High Island Oil Field; Afternoon, Late March, 1988-1990 | In the High Island Oil Field; Afternoon, Late March | $76,375 | Christie's | Dec 2000 |
| 2 | S-Bend in an Elevated Section of the New Jersey Turnpike, 1996 | Oil on canvas | $69,300 | Sotheby's | Oct 2021 |
| 3 | Looking South on West Street, Study, 1985 | Oil on canvas mounted on Masonite | $44,800 | Christie's | Sep 2026 |
| 4 | Cottage, Skowhegan, 1975 | Oil on canvas laid down on Masonite | $44,100 | Sotheby's | Mar 2022 |
| 5 | Study for New Stuyvesant High School Under Construction, 1991 | Oil on canvas | $32,262 | Christie's | Mar 2011 |
| 6 | Study for the Tennis Courts in Riverside Park at 119th Street, 1978 | Oil paint | $32,000 | Sotheby's | Feb 2026 |
| 7 | In the high island oil field, 1988 | Oil on canvas mounted on board | $24,320 | Sotheby's | Oct 2026 |
| 8 | Gene Littlefield's Shorn Sheep, 1973 | Oil on canvas | $22,860 | Wright | Jan 2026 |
| 9 | Gene Littlefield's Shorn Sheep, 1973 | Painting | $22,860 | Rago Arts | Jan 2026 |
| 10 | Thorndike, Maine, 1939 | Oil paint | $18,750 | Christie's | Feb 2013 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 14 | $23,590 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 10 | $20,805 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 17 results from 5 houses · How we compute these figures
Rackstraw Downes is a British (modern) artist with 20 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $22,860.
A work by Rackstraw Downes sold in 2026 for $24,320, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Rackstraw Downes record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Rackstraw Downes on OpeningBid →What is a Rackstraw Downes work worth?
Across 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Rackstraw Downes work is $22,860.
The median Rackstraw Downes painting sells for $24,320 across 15 lots.
The median Rackstraw Downes work on paper sells for $1,708 across 1 lots.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 15 | $24,320 | $76,375 | — | 2026-10-08 |
| Works on Paper | 1 | $1,708 | $1,708 | — | 2010-11-09 |
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $17,920–$32,262 | $22,860 | $44,800 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $24,320–$69,300 | $67,463 | $76,375 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2000 | $76,375 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $69,300 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $1,708 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Rackstraw Downes worth?
Across 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Rackstraw Downes work is $22,860. The median Rackstraw Downes painting sells for $24,320 across 15 lots. The median Rackstraw Downes work on paper sells for $1,708 across 1 lots.
What is the average price of a Rackstraw Downes painting?
Based on 15 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Rackstraw Downes painting is $24,320.
What is Rackstraw Downes's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Rackstraw Downes painting is $76,375.
What is Rackstraw Downes's auction record?
Rackstraw Downes's auction record is $76,375, set in 2000.
See the full Rackstraw Downes record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Rackstraw Downes on OpeningBid →