Richard Cosway (1742–1821)
What is Richard Cosway’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 98 auction results for Richard Cosway at 28 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $366 including buyer’s premium (middle half $314–$2,520, n=9). The auction record is $102,658 for Portrait of Maria Fitzherbert (2019, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 30 | $2,587 |
| Works on paper | 34 | $1,694 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 64 | $1,727 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 98 results from 28 houses · How we compute these figures
Richard Cosway is a British (modern) artist with 115 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $1,622. 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 Richard Cosway sold in 2026 for $11,430, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Richard Cosway record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Richard Cosway on OpeningBid →What is a Richard Cosway work worth?
Across 86 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Richard Cosway work is $1,622.
The median Richard Cosway work on paper sells for $1,132 across 55 lots.
The median Richard Cosway painting sells for $1,727 across 19 lots.
The median Richard Cosway print sells for $879 across 2 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Richard Cosway work on papers typically sell for $381–$2,507 (the middle half of 54 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 | 3 | $879‡ | $1,498 | 66.7% | 2026-03-03 |
| Paintings | 20 | $1,727†‡ | $51,889 | 95% | 2026-06-10 |
| Works on Paper | 73 | $1,132†‡ | $102,658 | 75.3% | 2026-05-19 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $42,289 | $102,658 | — | 2022-07-05 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Richard Cosway's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (3 lots) median $879 with 66.7% sell-through. Paintings (20 lots) median $1,727, record $51,889. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 5 lots) the median is $42,289.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 17 | $863–$2,872 | $1,727 | $51,889 |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 54 | $381–$2,507†‡ | $1,105†‡ | $102,658 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $102,658 |
| Paintings | 2020 | $51,889 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $42,289 |
| Paintings | 2019 | $13,445 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $1,498 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $259‡ |
‡ 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 Richard Cosway worth?
Across 86 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Richard Cosway work is $1,622. The median Richard Cosway work on paper sells for $1,132 across 55 lots. The median Richard Cosway painting sells for $1,727 across 19 lots. The median Richard Cosway print sells for $879 across 2 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Richard Cosway work on papers typically sell for $381–$2,507 (the middle half of 54 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 Richard Cosway work on paper?
Based on 55 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Richard Cosway work on paper is $1,132. 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 Richard Cosway's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Richard Cosway work on paper is $102,658.
What is the average price of a Richard Cosway painting?
Based on 19 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Richard Cosway painting is $1,727. 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 Richard Cosway's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Richard Cosway painting is $51,889.
What is the average price of a small Richard Cosway work on paper?
Based on 54 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Richard Cosway work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,105, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 small Richard Cosway painting?
Based on 17 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Richard Cosway painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,727, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Richard Cosway's auction record?
Richard Cosway's auction record is $102,658, set in 2019.
See the full Richard Cosway record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Richard Cosway on OpeningBid →