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

# Thornton Dial (1928–2016)

## What is Thornton Dial’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 123 auction results for Thornton Dial at 12 houses since 2008. Over the last 24 months the median price was $7,328 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,087–$24,550, n=26). The auction record is $278,399 for Sneakin' In (2023, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sneakin' In, 1992 | Mixed media on canvas | $278,399 | Sotheby's | Oct 2023 |
| 2 | Trophies (Doll Factory), 1999 | Mixed media painting | $277,419 | Christie's | Oct 2019 |
| 3 | STRUGGLING TIGER PROUD STEPPING, 1991 | Enamel, oil, rope carpet, corrugated tin, wood, carpet, and Splash Zone compound on canvas mounted on wood | $214,200 | Christie's | Mar 2024 |
| 4 | Crawling and Rolling, 1997 | Enamel and mixed media on canvas on wood | $168,000 | Sotheby's | Sep 2024 |
| 5 | Creation of Life in the Blackberry Patch, 1928 | Carpet, enamel, spray paint and Splash Zone compound on canvas on wood | $150,000 | Christie's | Jan 2021 |
| 6 | Untitled (mixed media including wire, fabric and Splash Zone compound on canvas), 1991 | Mixed media work | $107,100 | Christie's | Jan 2023 |
| 7 | Fading, 2002 | Tin, clothing, nails, enamel and spray paint on canvas mounted on panel | $106,250 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 8 | WHEN I LAY MY BURDENS DOWN, 1993 | Canvas | $88,200 | Christie's | Jan 2025 |
| 9 | Looking for The Signs, 1928 | Mixed media | $71,250 | Christie's | Jan 2021 |
| 10 | Recalling the Pain, 1928 | Wood | $68,750 | Christie's | Jan 2019 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 26 | $51,826 |
| Other | 9 | $32,760 |
| Works on paper | 57 | $5,000 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 31 | $44,800 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 53 | $5,500 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $2,438 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 123 results from 12 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Thornton Dial is an American artist with 133 auction lots recorded since 2007, median price $6,612. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Thornton Dial sold in 2026 for $25,600, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Thornton Dial work worth?

Across 110 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Thornton Dial work is $6,612.

The median Thornton Dial work on paper sells for $4,000 across 80 lots.

The median Thornton Dial painting sells for $56,250 across 17 lots.

The median Thornton Dial print sells for $138 across 4 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Thornton Dial work on papers typically sell for $3,012–$7,328 (the middle half of 63 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 | 5 | $138† | $150† | 80% | 2018-12-16 |
| Paintings | 17 | $56,250† | $278,399 | — | 2026-02-27 |
| Works on Paper | 92 | $4,000† | $16,875 | 87% | 2026-09-21 |
| Photography | 1 | $350† | $350† | — | 2019-10-13 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 7 | $168,000 | $278,399 | — | 2024-09-27 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Thornton Dial's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (5 lots) median $138 with 80% sell-through. Paintings (17 lots) median $56,250, record $278,399. A typical Thornton Dial painting sells for around 409× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 7 lots) the median is $168,000.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| large (over 120 cm) | 14 | $43,413–$139,062 | $56,700 | $278,399 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 15 | $991–$2,438† | $1,800† | $4,000† |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 63 | $3,012–$7,328† | $5,000† | $16,875 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2023 | $278,399 |
| Paintings | 2019 | $277,419 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $16,875 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $15,120 |
| Photography | 2019 | $350† |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $150† |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $150† |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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 Thornton Dial worth?

Across 110 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Thornton Dial work is $6,612. The median Thornton Dial work on paper sells for $4,000 across 80 lots. The median Thornton Dial painting sells for $56,250 across 17 lots. The median Thornton Dial print sells for $138 across 4 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Thornton Dial work on papers typically sell for $3,012–$7,328 (the middle half of 63 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Thornton Dial work on paper?

Based on 80 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Thornton Dial work on paper is $4,000. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Thornton Dial's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Thornton Dial work on paper is $16,875.

### What is the average price of a Thornton Dial painting?

Based on 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Thornton Dial painting is $56,250. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Thornton Dial's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Thornton Dial painting is $278,399.

### What is the average price of a medium Thornton Dial work on paper?

Based on 63 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Thornton Dial work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $5,000, 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 small Thornton Dial work on paper?

Based on 15 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Thornton Dial work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,800, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Thornton Dial's auction record?

Thornton Dial's auction record is $278,399, set in 2023.

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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, “Thornton Dial auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/thornton-dial (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.