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

# William Thornley (1857–1935)

William Thornley is a French artist with 83 auction lots recorded since 1996, median price $1,266. 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 William Thornley sold in 2026 for $1,637, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**4 William Thornley works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [William Thornley on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/william-thornley?ref=kg:william-thornley) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a William Thornley work worth?

Across 53 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Thornley work is $1,266.

The median William Thornley painting sells for $1,100 across 59 lots.

The median William Thornley work on paper sells for $918 across 5 lots.

The median William Thornley print sells for $3,883 across 6 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) William Thornley paintings typically sell for $655–$2,189 (the middle half of 52 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 | 6 | $3,883†‡ | $4,943 | — | 2021-12-08 |
| Paintings | 76 | $1,100†‡ | $24,000† | 77.6% | 2026-06-26 |
| Works on Paper | 8 | $918† | $2,066 | 62.5% | 2026-09-09 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $7,879†‡ | $24,000† | — | 2001-05-30 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

William Thornley's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (6 lots) median $3,883. Paintings (76 lots) median $1,100, record $24,000. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $24,000 (buyer's premium not included). At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 4 lots) the median is $7,879.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 52 | $655–$2,189†‡ | $1,106†‡ | $24,000† |

† 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 | 1996 | $24,000† |
| Paintings | 2001 | $9,228‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $4,943 |
| Prints & Editions | 2014 | $4,604‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $2,066 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $1,637 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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 William Thornley worth?

Across 53 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a William Thornley work is $1,266. The median William Thornley painting sells for $1,100 across 59 lots. The median William Thornley work on paper sells for $918 across 5 lots. The median William Thornley print sells for $3,883 across 6 lots. Small (under 50 cm) William Thornley paintings typically sell for $655–$2,189 (the middle half of 52 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 William Thornley painting?

Based on 59 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a William Thornley painting is $1,100. 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 William Thornley's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a William Thornley painting is $24,000. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $24,000 (buyer's premium not included).

### What is the average price of a small William Thornley painting?

Based on 52 sold lots, the median auction price of a small William Thornley painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,106, 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 William Thornley's auction record?

William Thornley's auction record is $24,000, set in 1996. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $24,000 (buyer's premium not included).

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