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

# Thomas Downing (1928–1985)

## What is Thomas Downing’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 62 auction results for Thomas Downing at 10 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,930 including buyer’s premium (middle half $972–$20,240, n=11). The auction record is $200,000 for Blue Tender (2019, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blue Tender, 1964 | Acrylic paint | $200,000 | Phillips | May 2019 |
| 2 | Ring Eight, 1928 | Acrylic on canvas | $131,563 | Bonhams | Nov 2020 |
| 3 | Ring Eight, 1928 | Acrylic | $131,562 | Bonhams | Nov 2020 |
| 4 | Untitled, 1959 | Acrylic on unprimed canvas | $100,000 | Sotheby's | Dec 2018 |
| 5 | Untitled (acrylic on canvas), 1963 | Acrylic paint | $100,000 | Rago Arts | Mar 2022 |
| 6 | Grid Ten, 1970 | Acrylic paint | $88,200 | Christie's | May 2022 |
| 7 | Run, 1972 | Acrylic | $73,455 | Bonhams | May 2022 |
| 8 | Yellow Bend, 1965 | Acrylic | $69,675 | Bonhams | May 2022 |
| 9 | Ring Three Saranac, 1928 | Acrylic on canvas | $69,063 | Bonhams | Nov 2020 |
| 10 | Ring Three Saranac, 1928 | Acrylic | $69,062 | Bonhams | Nov 2020 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 48 | $33,380 |
| Works on paper | 8 | $1,003 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 34 | $42,225 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 13 | $12,188 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $990 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 62 results from 10 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Thomas Downing is an American artist with 67 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $25,825. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Thomas Downing sold in 2026 for $30,720, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Thomas Downing work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Thomas Downing on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/thomas-downing?ref=kg:thomas-downing) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Thomas Downing work worth?

Across 61 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Thomas Downing work is $25,825.

The median Thomas Downing painting sells for $31,298 across 51 lots.

The median Thomas Downing work on paper sells for $3,580 across 2 lots.

The median Thomas Downing print sells for $1,560 across 1 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Thomas Downing paintings typically sell for $25,612–$60,938 (the middle half of 34 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 | 1 | $1,560 | $1,560 | — | 2020-02-26 |
| Paintings | 53 | $31,298 | $200,000 | 96.2% | 2026-09-18 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $3,580 | $4,160 | — | 2022-12-01 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $131,562 | $200,000 | — | 2022-03-10 |

Thomas Downing's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1 lots) median $1,560. Paintings (53 lots) median $31,298, record $200,000. A typical Thomas Downing painting sells for around 20× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 5 lots) the median is $131,562.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $953–$1,010 | $972 | $9,100 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 10 | $11,207–$23,512 | $16,380 | $69,062 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 34 | $25,612–$60,938 | $42,225 | $200,000 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2019 | $200,000 |
| Paintings | 2020 | $131,562 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $4,160 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $3,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2020 | $1,560 |

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 Thomas Downing worth?

Across 61 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Thomas Downing work is $25,825. The median Thomas Downing painting sells for $31,298 across 51 lots. The median Thomas Downing work on paper sells for $3,580 across 2 lots. The median Thomas Downing print sells for $1,560 across 1 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Thomas Downing paintings typically sell for $25,612–$60,938 (the middle half of 34 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Thomas Downing painting?

Based on 51 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Thomas Downing painting is $31,298.

### What is Thomas Downing's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Thomas Downing painting is $200,000.

### What is the average price of a large Thomas Downing painting?

Based on 34 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Thomas Downing painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $42,225, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a medium Thomas Downing painting?

Based on 10 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Thomas Downing painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $16,380, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Thomas Downing's auction record?

Thomas Downing's auction record is $200,000, set in 2019.

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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, “Thomas Downing auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/thomas-downing (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.