Thomas Gainsborough (1727–1788)
What is Thomas Gainsborough’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 191 auction results for Thomas Gainsborough at 35 houses since 1991. Over the last 24 months the median price was $49,443 including buyer’s premium (middle half $15,735–$111,556, n=16). The auction record is $1,660,279 for Landscape with Cattle, a young man courting a milkmaid (2007, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 45 | $29,844 |
| Other | 61 | $25,099 |
| Works on paper | 22 | $20,375 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $141,487 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 35 | $29,844 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 69 | $20,857 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 191 results from 35 houses · How we compute these figures
Thomas Gainsborough is a British (modern) artist with 220 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $19,392. 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 Thomas Gainsborough sold in 2026 for $161,807, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
1 Thomas Gainsborough work is coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Thomas Gainsborough free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Thomas Gainsborough record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Thomas Gainsborough on OpeningBid →What is a Thomas Gainsborough work worth?
Across 172 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Thomas Gainsborough work is $19,392.
The median Thomas Gainsborough painting sells for $25,517 across 73 lots.
The median Thomas Gainsborough work on paper sells for $14,798 across 75 lots.
The median Thomas Gainsborough print sells for $1,410 across 9 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Thomas Gainsborough work on papers typically sell for $7,038–$30,914 (the middle half of 67 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Thomas Gainsborough paintings typically sell for $780–$80,868 (the middle half of 35 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 | 11 | $1,410†‡ | $8,190 | 81.8% | 2025-06-24 |
| Paintings | 87 | $25,517†‡ | $1.4M | 83.9% | 2026-07-02 |
| Works on Paper | 84 | $14,798†‡ | $224,327 | 89.3% | 2026-07-01 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Photography | 1 | $135 | $135 | — | 2018-11-03 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 26 | $229,836† | $1.7M | — | 2026-07-02 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Thomas Gainsborough's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (11 lots) median $1,410 with 81.8% sell-through. Paintings (87 lots) median $25,517, record $1,403,512. A typical Thomas Gainsborough painting sells for around 18× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 26 lots) the median is $229,836.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 21 | $500–$56,288†‡ | $13,000†‡ | $305,553 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 35 | $780–$80,868†‡ | $27,124†‡ | $403,114 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 10 | $14,131–$825,203‡ | $93,243‡ | $1.4M |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 67 | $7,038–$30,914†‡ | $16,518†‡ | $224,327 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2017 | $1.4M |
| Paintings | 2005 | $1.1M |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $224,327 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $109,298 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $8,190 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $4,989‡ |
| Photography | 2018 | $135 |
‡ 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 Thomas Gainsborough worth?
Across 172 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Thomas Gainsborough work is $19,392. The median Thomas Gainsborough painting sells for $25,517 across 73 lots. The median Thomas Gainsborough work on paper sells for $14,798 across 75 lots. The median Thomas Gainsborough print sells for $1,410 across 9 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Thomas Gainsborough work on papers typically sell for $7,038–$30,914 (the middle half of 67 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Thomas Gainsborough paintings typically sell for $780–$80,868 (the middle half of 35 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 Thomas Gainsborough painting?
Based on 73 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Thomas Gainsborough painting is $25,517. 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 Thomas Gainsborough's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Thomas Gainsborough painting is $1,403,512.
What is the average price of a Thomas Gainsborough work on paper?
Based on 75 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Thomas Gainsborough work on paper is $14,798. 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 Thomas Gainsborough's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Thomas Gainsborough work on paper is $224,327.
What is the average price of a Thomas Gainsborough print?
Based on 9 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Thomas Gainsborough print is $1,410. 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 Thomas Gainsborough's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Thomas Gainsborough print is $8,190.
What is the average price of a small Thomas Gainsborough work on paper?
Based on 67 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Thomas Gainsborough work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $16,518, 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 Thomas Gainsborough painting?
Based on 35 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Thomas Gainsborough painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $27,124, 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 Thomas Gainsborough's auction record?
Thomas Gainsborough's auction record is $1,403,512, set in 2017.
See the full Thomas Gainsborough record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Thomas Gainsborough on OpeningBid →