> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/robert-gwathmey · updated 2026-11-02

# Robert Gwathmey (1903–1988)

## What is Robert Gwathmey’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 155 auction results for Robert Gwathmey at 21 houses since 1991. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,794 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,000–$9,450, n=9). The auction record is $72,000 for Prologue II (2011, Swann Auction Galleries). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prologue II, 1941 | Oil on canvas | $72,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Nov 2011 |
| 2 | Southern Farmer, 1966 | Oil on canvas | $43,200 | Swann Auction Galleries | Nov 2011 |
| 3 | Feedbag—Cotton Bag, 1940 | Oil paint | $35,280 | Christie's | Apr 2023 |
| 4 | Peace, 1967 | Oil paint | $31,250 | Christie's | Dec 2010 |
| 5 | Frenetic Profusion, 1968 | Oil on canvas | $27,500 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 6 | By the Sea | Oil on canvas | $24,000 | Sotheby's | Mar 2007 |
| 7 | Prologue, 1903 | Oil on canvas | $22,500 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 8 | Boughs and Bags for Shade, 1945 | Oil on canvas | $21,420 | Christie's | Jul 2022 |
| 9 | Wild Roses, 1966 | Oil on canvas | $20,480 | Freeman's Hindman | Dec 2025 |
| 10 | Cityscape, 1967 | Oil paint | $20,160 | Christie's | Apr 2023 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 26 | $13,826 |
| Works on paper | 8 | $3,325 |
| Other | 21 | $2,200 |
| Prints | 90 | $1,320 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 39 | $1,920 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 81 | $1,560 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 155 results from 21 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Robert Gwathmey is an American artist with 183 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $1,690. 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 Robert Gwathmey sold in 2026 for $2,794, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**2 Robert Gwathmey works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Robert Gwathmey on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/robert-gwathmey?ref=kg:robert-gwathmey) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Robert Gwathmey work worth?

Across 154 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Robert Gwathmey work is $1,690.

The median Robert Gwathmey print sells for $1,430 across 112 lots.

The median Robert Gwathmey painting sells for $13,750 across 23 lots.

The median Robert Gwathmey work on paper sells for $3,022 across 12 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Robert Gwathmey prints typically sell for $950–$2,185 (the middle half of 73 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Robert Gwathmey prints typically sell for $258–$1,209 (the middle half of 20 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 | 120 | $1,430†‡ | $5,250 | 93.3% | 2026-10-29 |
| Paintings | 25 | $13,750 | $72,000 | 92% | 2026-05-27 |
| Works on Paper | 14 | $3,022 | $8,400 | 85.7% | 2026-09-17 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 8 | $29,375 | $72,000 | — | 2023-04-21 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

Robert Gwathmey's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (120 lots) median $1,430 with 93.3% sell-through. Paintings (25 lots) median $13,750, record $72,000. A typical Robert Gwathmey painting sells for around 9.6× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 8 lots) the median is $29,375.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 73 | $950–$2,185†‡ | $1,500†‡ | $5,250 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 20 | $258–$1,209†‡ | $510†‡ | $1,920 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $5,500–$8,438 | $6,300 | $13,750 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 12 | $12,500–$24,688 | $20,320 | $72,000 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $2,720–$6,610 | $3,325 | $7,560 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2011 | $72,000 |
| Paintings | 2011 | $43,200 |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $8,400 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $7,560 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $5,250 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $4,750 |

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 Robert Gwathmey worth?

Across 154 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Robert Gwathmey work is $1,690. The median Robert Gwathmey print sells for $1,430 across 112 lots. The median Robert Gwathmey painting sells for $13,750 across 23 lots. The median Robert Gwathmey work on paper sells for $3,022 across 12 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Robert Gwathmey prints typically sell for $950–$2,185 (the middle half of 73 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Robert Gwathmey prints typically sell for $258–$1,209 (the middle half of 20 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 Robert Gwathmey print?

Based on 112 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Robert Gwathmey print is $1,430. 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 Robert Gwathmey's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Robert Gwathmey print is $5,250.

### What is the average price of a Robert Gwathmey painting?

Based on 23 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Robert Gwathmey painting is $13,750.

### What is Robert Gwathmey's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Robert Gwathmey painting is $72,000.

### What is the average price of a Robert Gwathmey work on paper?

Based on 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Robert Gwathmey work on paper is $3,022.

### What is Robert Gwathmey's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Robert Gwathmey work on paper is $8,400.

### What is the average price of a small Robert Gwathmey print?

Based on 73 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Robert Gwathmey print (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,500, 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 medium Robert Gwathmey print?

Based on 20 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Robert Gwathmey print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $510, 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 Robert Gwathmey's auction record?

Robert Gwathmey's auction record is $72,000, set in 2011.

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Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Robert Gwathmey auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/robert-gwathmey (updated 2026-11-02).

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.