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

# Thomas Ryan (1929–2021)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 89 auction results for Thomas Ryan at 6 houses since 1995. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,003 including buyer’s premium (middle half $745–$1,592, n=9). The auction record is $18,934 for All Ireland Hurling Final 1963, Waterford-V-Kilkenny (2008, James Adam Salesrooms). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | All Ireland Hurling Final 1963, Waterford-V-Kilkenny, 1963 | Oil on canvas | $18,934 | James Adam Salesrooms | Dec 2008 |
| 2 | The Reader - Mary Reading the Newspaper in the Dining Room, 1986 | Oil on board | $6,722 | James Adam Salesrooms | Sep 2015 |
| 3 | The Lonely Strand, 1981 | Oil on board | $6,650 | James Adam Salesrooms | Dec 2004 |
| 4 | In the National Gallery, Dublin | Oil on canvas | $6,312 | James Adam Salesrooms | Dec 2008 |
| 5 | Three Irish Sailors | Oil on canvas | $5,731 | James Adam Salesrooms | Dec 2002 |
| 6 | The Turf Shed, 1973 | Oil on board | $4,984 | James Adam Salesrooms | Dec 2002 |
| 7 | The Pelgany Rose and Bridal Pink Rose | Oil on canvas | $4,972 | James Adam Salesrooms | May 2001 |
| 8 | Murckish Mountain, 1970 | Oil on board | $4,820 | James Adam Salesrooms | Jun 2022 |
| 9 | Georgian Interior with figures, 1974 | Oil on canvas | $4,734 | James Adam Salesrooms | Dec 2002 |
| 10 | Spring Cleaning | Oil on canvas | $4,488 | James Adam Salesrooms | May 2017 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 60 | $1,790 |
| Works on paper | 20 | $502 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 25 | $2,955 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 59 | $842 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 89 results from 6 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Thomas Ryan is an Irish artist with 130 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $1,147. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Thomas Ryan sold in 2026 for a hammer price of $7,150 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Thomas Ryan work worth?

Across 87 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Thomas Ryan work is $1,147.

The median Thomas Ryan painting sells for $1,669 across 64 lots.

The median Thomas Ryan work on paper sells for $573 across 23 lots.

The median Thomas Ryan print sells for $470 across 1 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Thomas Ryan paintings typically sell for $696–$2,214 (the middle half of 39 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Thomas Ryan paintings typically sell for $1,412–$4,485 (the middle half of 25 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 | $470 | $470 | — | 2010-12-14 |
| Paintings | 88 | $1,669† | $18,934 | 72.7% | 2026-04-06 |
| Works on Paper | 40 | $573† | $2,293 | 57.5% | 2025-12-10 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $6,722† | $18,934 | — | 2026-10-20 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Thomas Ryan's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1 lots) median $470. Paintings (88 lots) median $1,669, record $18,934. A typical Thomas Ryan painting sells for around 3.5× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 5 lots) the median is $6,722.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 39 | $696–$2,214† | $1,147† | $6,312 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 25 | $1,412–$4,485† | $2,955† | $18,934 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 21 | $279–$688 | $430 | $2,293 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2008 | $18,934 |
| Paintings | 2015 | $6,722 |
| Works on Paper | 2003 | $2,293 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $1,836 |
| Prints & Editions | 2010 | $470 |

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 Ryan worth?

Across 87 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Thomas Ryan work is $1,147. The median Thomas Ryan painting sells for $1,669 across 64 lots. The median Thomas Ryan work on paper sells for $573 across 23 lots. The median Thomas Ryan print sells for $470 across 1 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Thomas Ryan paintings typically sell for $696–$2,214 (the middle half of 39 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Thomas Ryan paintings typically sell for $1,412–$4,485 (the middle half of 25 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

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

Based on 64 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Thomas Ryan painting is $1,669. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a Thomas Ryan painting is $18,934.

### What is the average price of a Thomas Ryan work on paper?

Based on 23 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Thomas Ryan work on paper is $573. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Thomas Ryan's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Thomas Ryan work on paper is $2,293.

### What is the average price of a small Thomas Ryan painting?

Based on 39 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Thomas Ryan painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,147, 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 Thomas Ryan painting?

Based on 25 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Thomas Ryan painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,955, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

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

Thomas Ryan's auction record is $18,934, set in 2008.

---

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 Ryan auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/thomas-ryan (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.