> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/watson · updated 2026-11-01

# John Forbes Watson (1832–1892)

John Forbes Watson is an American artist with 11 auction lots recorded since 2007, median price $769. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by John Forbes Watson sold in 2019 for $2,338, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a John Forbes Watson work worth?

Across 7 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Forbes Watson work is $769.

The median John Forbes Watson photograph sells for $2,338 across 3 lots.

The median John Forbes Watson painting sells for $468 across 3 lots.

The median John Forbes Watson work on paper sells for $202 across 1 lots.

Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 3 | $468‡ | $940 | — | 2022-07-21 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $202‡ | $202‡ | 50% | 2023-11-15 |
| Photography | 5 | $2,338 | $2,366 | 60% | 2019-12-04 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2008 | $2,366 |
| Photography | 2019 | $2,338 |
| Paintings | 2007 | $940 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $468‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $202‡ |

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

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 John Forbes Watson worth?

Across 7 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Forbes Watson work is $769. The median John Forbes Watson photograph sells for $2,338 across 3 lots. The median John Forbes Watson painting sells for $468 across 3 lots. The median John Forbes Watson work on paper sells for $202 across 1 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is John Forbes Watson's auction record?

John Forbes Watson's auction record is $2,366, set in 2008.

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Data last updated 2026-11-01. OpeningBid tracks 15,222,099 auction lots from 571 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “John Forbes Watson auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/watson (updated 2026-11-01).

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.