> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/roy-dean-de-forest · updated 2026-11-01

# Roy Dean De Forest (1930–2007)

## What is Roy Dean De Forest’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 73 auction results for Roy Dean De Forest at 13 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $5,334 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,540–$9,240, n=13). The auction record is $84,523 for Rough Water Ahead (2017, Tajan). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rough Water Ahead, 1977 | Acrylic on canvas | $84,523 | Tajan | Dec 2017 |
| 2 | Tribute to Ty Cobb, 1963, 1963 | Oil on canvas and oil on wood | $81,250 | Freeman's Hindman | Dec 2021 |
| 3 | To Be, Or Not To Be, 1963 | Acrylic | $61,562 | Bonhams | Sep 2021 |
| 4 | The Black Dog Blues, 2000 | Acrylic paint | $52,920 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Feb 2024 |
| 5 | THE HORSEY SET, 1979 | Mixed media construction | $30,186 | Tajan | Dec 2017 |
| 6 | Black Dog Blues, 2003 | Acrylic | $22,950 | Bonhams | Sep 2025 |
| 7 | Untitled (pastel and graphite on paper), 1972 | Graphite | $16,510 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Feb 2026 |
| 8 | Harry, 1971 | Painting | $12,113 | Bonhams | Sep 2025 |
| 9 | Untitled (mixed media on paper), 1930 | Mixed media | $11,475 | Bonhams | Mar 2023 |
| 10 | A Pug, 2001 | Acrylic paint | $10,625 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Sep 2018 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 10 | $17,531 |
| Works on paper | 21 | $4,375 |
| Other | 12 | $3,913 |
| Prints | 27 | $813 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $12,113 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 54 | $3,350 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $948 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 73 results from 13 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Roy Dean De Forest is an American artist with 83 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $2,750. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Roy Dean De Forest sold in 2026 for $9,240, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Roy Dean De Forest work worth?

Across 73 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Roy Dean De Forest work is $2,750.

The median Roy Dean De Forest print sells for $813 across 29 lots.

The median Roy Dean De Forest work on paper sells for $4,000 across 25 lots.

The median Roy Dean De Forest painting sells for $9,688 across 12 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Roy Dean De Forest prints typically sell for $610–$1,134 (the middle half of 25 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Roy Dean De Forest work on papers typically sell for $2,975–$6,255 (the middle half of 23 sold lots).

Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 32 | $813† | $7,205 | 90.6% | 2025-12-16 |
| Paintings | 12 | $9,688 | $84,523 | — | 2025-11-19 |
| Works on Paper | 27 | $4,000 | $16,510 | 92.6% | 2026-02-25 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2 | $937 | $937 | 50% | 2013-11-10 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $71,406 | $84,523 | — | 2024-02-21 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Roy Dean De Forest's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (32 lots) median $813 with 90.6% sell-through. Paintings (12 lots) median $9,688, record $84,523. A typical Roy Dean De Forest painting sells for around 12× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 4 lots) the median is $71,406.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 25 | $610–$1,134† | $762† | $7,205 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $5,000–$8,750 | $6,000 | $10,625 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $14,822–$59,402 | $37,935 | $84,523 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 23 | $2,975–$6,255 | $4,080 | $16,510 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2017 | $84,523 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $61,562 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $16,510 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $9,240 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $7,205 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $4,826 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2013 | $937 |

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 Roy Dean De Forest worth?

Across 73 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Roy Dean De Forest work is $2,750. The median Roy Dean De Forest print sells for $813 across 29 lots. The median Roy Dean De Forest work on paper sells for $4,000 across 25 lots. The median Roy Dean De Forest painting sells for $9,688 across 12 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Roy Dean De Forest prints typically sell for $610–$1,134 (the middle half of 25 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Roy Dean De Forest work on papers typically sell for $2,975–$6,255 (the middle half of 23 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Roy Dean De Forest print?

Based on 29 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Roy Dean De Forest print is $813. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Roy Dean De Forest's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Roy Dean De Forest print is $7,205.

### What is the average price of a Roy Dean De Forest work on paper?

Based on 25 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Roy Dean De Forest work on paper is $4,000.

### What is Roy Dean De Forest's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Roy Dean De Forest work on paper is $16,510.

### What is the average price of a Roy Dean De Forest painting?

Based on 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Roy Dean De Forest painting is $9,688.

### What is Roy Dean De Forest's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Roy Dean De Forest painting is $84,523.

### What is the average price of a medium Roy Dean De Forest print?

Based on 25 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Roy Dean De Forest print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $762, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a medium Roy Dean De Forest work on paper?

Based on 23 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Roy Dean De Forest work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,080, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Roy Dean De Forest's auction record?

Roy Dean De Forest's auction record is $84,523, set in 2017.

---

Data last updated 2026-11-01. OpeningBid tracks 15,222,099 auction lots from 571 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Roy Dean De Forest auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/roy-dean-de-forest (updated 2026-11-01).

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.