Augustus Saint-Gaudens Auction Prices and Value Guide

Augustus Saint-Gaudens auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 190 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.

Augustus Saint-Gaudens auction prices: quick answer

Augustus Saint-Gaudens auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.

Artist
Augustus Saint-Gaudens
Source records
190
Market update
2026-02-16

Artist context

About Augustus Saint-Gaudens

Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848–1907) was the preeminent American sculptor of the Beaux-Arts generation and a defining figure of the American Renaissance. Born in Dublin to an Irish-French family and raised in New York City, he trained in Paris and Rome before returning to establish his career. Saint-Gaudens is best known for monumental public sculptures commemorating heroes of the American Civil War, including the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial on Boston Common, the Standing Lincoln in Chicago, and the gilded equestrian monument to General William Tecumseh Sherman at Central Park. He also created the iconic statue The Puritan and produced influential portrait reliefs, decorative plaques, and numismatic designs. His works helped elevate American public art to international standards and remain among the most recognized civic sculptures in the United States. His home and studio in Cornish, New Hampshire, is now a National Historic Site.

Beaux-ArtsAmerican RenaissanceBronze sculptureMarble sculptureBas-relief and portrait reliefNumismatic design (coins and medals)Civil War commemorative monumentsPortrait reliefs and bustsEquestrian monumentsAllegorical and ideal figures

Common works and media

Saint-Gaudens works most commonly encountered at auction include reduced bronze editions of The Puritan (Deacon Samuel Chapin), the Standing Lincoln, the Shaw Memorial relief, and the Sherman equestrian group. Portrait reliefs in bronze and plaster of prominent sitters such as Robert Louis Stevenson and Dr. Henry Shiff are also well-represented. Single-figure allegorical bronzes like Diana and Amor Caritas appear regularly. Plaster maquettes, working models, and preparatory sketches also surface in sales. His coin and medal designs, especially the $20 Double Eagle and $10 Indian Head gold pieces, are sought after in numismatic markets.

Market and appraisal context

Saint-Gaudens is one of the most collected American sculptors. Works appear regularly at major auction houses, with 190 records documented in the Appraisily database. Common valuation factors include medium (bronze, marble, plaster), edition size and foundry marks, whether the cast is lifetime or posthumous, subject significance, dimensions, provenance quality, and condition. Reduced bronze editions of major monuments circulate most frequently. Collectors should be aware that authorized reproductions and later foundry casts exist alongside lifetime originals, and that edition numbering practices varied across foundries. Professional appraisal is recommended for attribution verification.

Auction categories and appraisal factors

Common auction categories

  • American Sculpture
  • 19th-Century American Art
  • Coins and Numismatics

Value drivers

  1. Bronze casts exist in multiple reduced editions of major monuments (e.g., The Puritan, Shaw Memorial, Sherman); edition size and foundry marks significantly affect value
  2. Portrait reliefs in bronze or plaster vary by sitter prominence, dimensions, and condition
  3. Provenance linking to the artist's studio, the Cornish Colony, or the foundry (especially Gorham Manufacturing or Thiebaut Frères) adds significance
  4. Plaster maquettes and sketches are less valuable than finished bronze casts but still appear at auction

Appraisal caveats

  • Reduced bronze editions of Saint-Gaudens monuments were produced in multiple sizes and casting runs over many years; attribution and edition numbering require careful verification
  • Posthumous casts and later foundry reproductions exist; collectors should confirm whether a bronze is lifetime or posthumous
  • The source pack does not include specific auction-house price records; comparable sale data should be consulted for current appraisal

Evidence

Sources for artist context

This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.

Source-grounded artist Markdown

Data basis

This page is built from Appraisily's public auction market index. Private transactions, incomplete sale feeds, and attribution changes may not be fully represented.

LLM-readable Markdown summary for Augustus Saint-Gaudens

LLM summary index · LLM full index

Artist value FAQ

How much is Augustus Saint-Gaudens worth?

Comparable public auction sales are the best starting point, but final value depends on the specific artwork, condition, size, medium, provenance, and attribution confidence.

Can Appraisily value my Augustus Saint-Gaudens artwork?

Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.