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

# William Matthews (b. 1949)

## What is William Matthews’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 27 auction results for William Matthews at 11 houses since 2002. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,500 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,353–$4,612, n=9). The auction record is $5,000 for Indian Summer (2024, Grogan & Company). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Summer | Watercolor on paper | $5,000 | Grogan & Company | Nov 2024 |
| 2 | Untitled (Resting Cowboy) | Watercolor on paper | $4,920 | Santa Fe Art Auction | Nov 2025 |
| 3 | New Summer Western | Watercolor on paper | $4,612 | Santa Fe Art Auction | May 2025 |
| 4 | Middle Eastern Scene | Watercolor/gouache | $3,300 | Cottone Auctions | Sep 2019 |
| 5 | Boot strap, 1949 | Color on paper | $1,625 | Bonhams | May 2012 |
| 6 | Chief's Blanket | Watercolor on paper | $1,599 | Santa Fe Art Auction | May 2025 |
| 7 | Cowboy on Horseback | Watercolor on paper | $1,500 | Grogan & Company | Nov 2024 |
| 8 | Cowboy Saddling Horse | Watercolor on paper | $1,430 | Grogan & Company | Nov 2024 |
| 9 | Winter Wrangle, circa 2006 | Watercolor on board | $1,353 | Santa Fe Art Auction | May 2025 |
| 10 | Hototo, Kachina Doll | Watercolor on paper | $1,168 | Santa Fe Art Auction | May 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 11 | $1,599 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 5 | $4,612 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $1,168 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 27 results from 11 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


William Matthews is an American artist with 24 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $1,500. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by William Matthews sold in 2026 for a hammer price of $1,600 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a William Matthews work worth?

Across 16 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Matthews work is $1,500.

The median William Matthews work on paper sells for $2,462 across 10 lots.

The median William Matthews painting sells for $1,353 across 1 lots.

The median William Matthews print sells for $400 across 1 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 | 2 | $400† | $400† | 50% | 2026-05-01 |
| Paintings | 3 | $1,353 | $1,353 | 33.3% | 2025-05-08 |
| Works on Paper | 13 | $2,462† | $5,000 | 76.9% | 2025-11-07 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

William Matthews's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (2 lots) median $400 with 50% sell-through. Paintings (3 lots) median $1,353, record $1,353. A typical William Matthews painting sells for around 3.4× the price of a typical print.

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $4,612–$4,920† | $4,750† | $5,000 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $5,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $4,920 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $1,353 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $400† |

† 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 William Matthews worth?

Across 16 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Matthews work is $1,500. The median William Matthews work on paper sells for $2,462 across 10 lots. The median William Matthews painting sells for $1,353 across 1 lots. The median William Matthews print sells for $400 across 1 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a William Matthews work on paper?

Based on 10 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William Matthews work on paper is $2,462. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is William Matthews's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a William Matthews work on paper is $5,000.

### What is William Matthews's auction record?

William Matthews's auction record is $5,000, set in 2024.

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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, “William Matthews auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-matthews (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.