Gerald Festus Kelly Auction Prices and Value Guide

Gerald Festus Kelly auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 279 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.

Gerald Festus Kelly auction prices: quick answer

Gerald Festus Kelly auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.

Artist
Gerald Festus Kelly
Source records
279
Market update
2026-02-06

Gerald Festus Kelly market snapshot

Gerald Festus Kelly shows developing auction liquidity with 17 tracked lots. Median realized sale is around $2,800. Category concentration is still broad or sparse. Last 12 months recorded 1 sales. Latest recorded sale: 2025-04-29.

Realized price distribution

  • Under $1,000 (20.0% · 2 sales)
  • $1,000 to $10,000 (60.0% · 6 sales)
  • $10,000+ (20.0% · 2 sales)
Median sale (last 12 months)
$0
Sales recorded (last 12 months)
1
Median shift vs prior year
0.0%
Latest recorded sale
2025-04-29

Artist context

About Gerald Festus Kelly

Born

1879

Died

1972

Nationality

British

Also known as

Sir Gerald Festus Kelly, Sir Gerald Kelly, Gerald Kelly

Sir Gerald Festus Kelly (1879–1972) was a British painter best known for his society portraits and his prominent role in the British art establishment. Born and based in London, Kelly built a career centered on formal portraiture, capturing distinguished sitters from British public life and high society. His standing in the art world was reflected in his appointment as President of the Royal Academy (PRA) and his investiture as a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO). The Tate gallery holds examples of his work, underscoring his institutional recognition. With a working life spanning much of the twentieth century, Kelly's portraits offer collectors a window into the conventions and figures of Edwardian and mid-century Britain.

British academic portrait paintingOil paintingPortraits

Common works and media

Kelly's auction and appraisal profile is dominated by oil-on-canvas portraits, typically bust-length, half-length, or three-quarter-length compositions of named or unidentified sitters. Portrait drawings and sketches in graphite or charcoal may also appear. Works are usually signed and dated. Collectors may encounter both commissioned society portraits and informal figure studies.

Market and appraisal context

Gerald Festus Kelly's portraits appear regularly at auction, with over 279 recorded lots, indicating a consistent secondary market. Key factors affecting appraisal include the identity and prominence of the sitter, the work's provenance, its condition, and whether it dates from a productive or notable period of the artist's career. Oil portraits on canvas are the most commonly encountered medium. Kelly's honors — including the presidency of the Royal Academy and a KCVO — lend institutional weight that can support valuations. Collectors should note that auction results can vary significantly depending on sitter importance and painting quality.

Auction categories and appraisal factors

Common auction categories

  • British & European Fine Art
  • Portraits & Figures

Value drivers

  1. Artist held the position of President of the Royal Academy (PRA) and was knighted KCVO, conferring institutional prestige
  2. Works are held by major UK institutions including Tate
  3. Significant auction presence with over 279 recorded lots, suggesting a steady secondary market
  4. Provenance, sitter identity, and condition are likely key factors for portrait valuations

Appraisal caveats

  • Specific realized prices and auction records were not available in the collected source pack; valuation guidance should reference comparable sale records from major auction databases.
  • Attribution should be confirmed through provenance documentation, as academic portrait painters of this era often had studio assistants and followers.

Evidence

Sources for artist context

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

Source-grounded artist Markdown

Recent sale records

Selected public auction records currently in the Appraisily lot index. Use them as market context, then request a formal appraisal before you sell, insure, or donate.

Don't price your Gerald Festus Kelly from these lots

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 Gerald Festus Kelly

LLM summary index · LLM full index

Artist value FAQ

How much is Gerald Festus Kelly 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 Gerald Festus Kelly artwork?

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