George Henry Boughton Auction Prices and Value Guide
George Henry Boughton auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 718 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.
George Henry Boughton auction prices: quick answer
George Henry Boughton auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.
- Artist
- George Henry Boughton
- Source records
- 718
- Market update
- 2026-02-06
Artist context
About George Henry Boughton
George Henry Boughton (1833–1905) was an Anglo-American painter, illustrator, and writer whose career bridged two continents. Born in Norwich, England, his family emigrated to the United States around 1835, and he grew up in Albany, New York, where he developed his skills as a largely self-taught artist. After an early period of activity in America, Boughton moved to Europe in the late 1850s and established a studio in London by 1861. Although he spent most of his adult life in England, he became known for depicting scenes from early American Colonial history — a subject that gave his work a distinctive transatlantic character. He also produced landscapes and genre paintings and contributed illustrations to literary publications. His work is held by institutions including the Tate, confirming his established place in nineteenth-century British and American art.
Genre paintingLandscape paintingOil paintingDrawingIllustrationEarly American Colonial historyLandscapeGenre scenes
Common works and media
Boughton's body of work includes oil-on-canvas genre and historical scenes, often depicting early American settlers and Puritan-era figures, as well as landscape paintings in both oil and watercolor. He produced numerous drawings and illustrations for literary editions, including contributions to works by Longfellow. The RKD also notes photographic work. Collectors may encounter finished exhibition paintings, smaller cabinet pictures, drawings, illustrated books, and reproductive prints after his compositions.
Market and appraisal context
George Henry Boughton has an established and well-documented auction history spanning over three decades (1992–2026), with 100 recorded lots of which 60 carry realized prices. His work trades regularly at recognized houses including Christie's, Sotheby's, Bonhams, Heritage Auctions, and Eldred's, as well as mid-tier and regional firms. The price distribution is moderately dispersed: the median stands at approximately $1,015 USD, with an interquartile range of roughly $380–$3,107. The top recorded price in this dataset is $18,700, while the low end starts at $38. Finished oil paintings — especially cabinet-size genre scenes and seasonal subjects — cluster in the $1,000–$4,000 band, with stronger examples exceeding $6,000. Works on paper, watercolors, etchings, and photogravures generally trade below $500, and attributed or studio works tend to realize lower prices than fully signed, documented paintings. Liquidity is moderate: three lots appeared in both the most recent and prior 12-month windows, suggesting a steady but not high-volume market.
Auction categories and appraisal factors
Common auction categories
- Old Master & 19th Century Paintings
- Works on Paper
- Illustrated Books
- Oil painting
- Drawing
Value drivers
- Subject matter — Colonial American historical scenes are a recognized collecting niche
- Medium — oil paintings generally command higher prices than drawings or illustrations
- Provenance and exhibition history, particularly documented showings at major London or American institutions
- Medium — finished oil paintings consistently achieve the highest prices; watercolors, drawings, and prints trade at lower tiers
- Subject matter — Colonial American historical genre scenes and seasonal series attract premium interest from specialist collectors
- Size and format — cabinet-size oils (under 16 inches) have traded strongly (e.g., "Winter" at $3,250, "Spring" at $2,800), while larger landscapes show more variable results
Appraisal caveats
- No auction records were available in this source pack; valuation guidance is general. Comparable public auction results should be consulted for individual works.
- The artist's output spans paintings, drawings, book illustrations, and photographic work — category and medium significantly affect value.
- Price data includes results in both USD and GBP; the GBP-denominated lots (Roseberys) should be currency-adjusted for direct comparison. The $18,700 maximum likely predates the recent lot window and may represent a marquee work at a major house.
- Three of the 24 recent lots have null price-realised values (passed/unsold or post-sale data not yet recorded), which skews recent-activity counts.
Evidence
Sources for artist context
This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.
- Library of Congress library authority
- VIAF library authority
- Tate museum or university
- RKD (Rijksbureau voor Kunsthistorische Documentatie) library authority
- Wikidata library authority
- Wikipedia wikipedia
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.
Artist value FAQ
How much is George Henry Boughton 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 George Henry Boughton artwork?
Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.