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

# Thomas Hill (1829–1908)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 132 auction results for Thomas Hill at 21 houses since 1988. Over the last 24 months the median price was $13,485 including buyer’s premium (middle half $5,375–$80,663, n=18). The auction record is $231,500 for Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe (2003, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, 1829 | Oil paint | $231,500 | Christie's | May 2003 |
| 2 | In the High Sierras, 1886 | Oil paint | $201,600 | Christie's | Jan 2025 |
| 3 | Yosemite Valley, 1898 | Oil paint | $189,000 | Christie's | Jan 2024 |
| 4 | Yosemite Valley, 1890 | Oil on canvas | $169,400 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2025 |
| 5 | California, 1879 | Oil on canvas | $166,600 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2016 |
| 6 | Yosemite Valley (Falls), 1898 | Oil on canvas | $157,300 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2025 |
| 7 | Yosemite Valley | Oil on canvas | $152,100 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2011 |
| 8 | Return of the War Party, 1829 | Oil paint | $145,500 | Christie's | May 1998 |
| 9 | View of Yosemite, 1829 | Oil paint | $138,600 | Christie's | Jan 2025 |
| 10 | Yosemite, 1871 | Oil paint | $137,500 | Christie's | May 2021 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 108 | $18,875 |
| Other | 5 | $3,300 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 14 | $56,250 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 38 | $18,895 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 53 | $13,750 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 132 results from 21 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Thomas Hill is an American artist with 149 auction lots recorded since 1988, median price $16,100. 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 Hill sold in 2026 for a hammer price of $28,000 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**3 Thomas Hill works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

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

## What is a Thomas Hill work worth?

Across 123 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Thomas Hill work is $16,100.

The median Thomas Hill painting sells for $15,120 across 99 lots.

The median Thomas Hill work on paper sells for $344 across 3 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Thomas Hill paintings typically sell for $7,500–$50,000 (the middle half of 53 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Thomas Hill paintings typically sell for $4,862–$20,835 (the middle half of 30 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 | 1 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Paintings | 118 | $15,120†‡ | $231,500 | 83.9% | 2026-10-21 |
| Works on Paper | 5 | $344‡ | $30,000 | 60% | 2020-02-18 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 12 | $154,700 | $231,500 | — | 2025-07-26 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 30 | $4,862–$20,835‡ | $15,100‡ | $67,200 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 53 | $7,500–$50,000†‡ | $13,750†‡ | $231,500 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 15 | $14,500–$131,250† | $37,500† | $201,600 |

† 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 | 2003 | $231,500 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $201,600 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $30,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $344 |

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 Hill worth?

Across 123 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Thomas Hill work is $16,100. The median Thomas Hill painting sells for $15,120 across 99 lots. The median Thomas Hill work on paper sells for $344 across 3 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Thomas Hill paintings typically sell for $7,500–$50,000 (the middle half of 53 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Thomas Hill paintings typically sell for $4,862–$20,835 (the middle half of 30 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 Hill painting?

Based on 99 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Thomas Hill painting is $15,120. 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 Hill's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Thomas Hill painting is $231,500.

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

Based on 53 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Thomas Hill painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $13,750, 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 Thomas Hill painting?

Based on 30 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Thomas Hill painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $15,100, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

Thomas Hill's auction record is $231,500, set in 2003.

---

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 Hill auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/thomas-hill (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.