John Hamilton Mortimer Auction Prices and Value Guide
John Hamilton Mortimer auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 215 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.
John Hamilton Mortimer auction prices: quick answer
John Hamilton Mortimer auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.
- Artist
- John Hamilton Mortimer
- Source records
- 215
- Market update
- 2026-02-06
Artist context
About John Hamilton Mortimer
John Hamilton Mortimer (1740–1779) was a British painter, printmaker, and draftsman active in London during the second half of the 18th century. Born in Eastbourne and baptized in November 1740, he established himself as a versatile artist working across oil painting, etching, and drawing. Mortimer is best known for romantic, Italianate landscapes, conversation pieces, and dramatic battle scenes that drew inspiration from the tradition of Salvator Rosa. His work from the 1770s in particular reflects an interest in martial subjects rendered with energetic draftsmanship. Though his career was cut short by his death in London at the age of 38, Mortimer left a notable body of work that bridges Georgian-era British painting and the broader European Romantic sensibility. His paintings, drawings, and prints are held in major public collections including the Tate.
Romanticismoil paintingetchingdrawingprintmakingItalianate landscapesconversation pieceswar scenes and battle subjectsfigure painting
Common works and media
Mortimer worked in oil on canvas, pen and ink with wash, chalk, and etching on paper. Common subjects include romantic Italianate landscapes with figures, conversation pieces, allegorical and mythological scenes, and battle or military subjects. His etchings and drawings are more frequently encountered at auction than his oil paintings. Decorative interior commissions are documented but less commonly seen on the market.
Market and appraisal context
Mortimer's works appear at auction primarily in the Old Master Drawings, Old Master Prints, and British Paintings categories. Value depends heavily on medium, with oil paintings typically achieving higher prices than etchings or ink and wash drawings. Provenance and condition are significant factors given the mid-18th-century date of his output. Attribution can be complex, as his style deliberately echoes Salvator Rosa and overlaps with several British contemporaries. Collectors should verify attributions against catalogue raisonné records and consult recent comparable auction results when assessing value. His relatively short career means the available body of work is limited compared to longer-lived peers.
Auction categories and appraisal factors
Common auction categories
- Old Master Drawings
- Old Master Prints
- British Paintings
Value drivers
- Attribution and authenticity are critical; works are sometimes confused with those of contemporaries or followers of Salvator Rosa
- Medium significantly affects value: oil paintings generally command higher prices than etchings or drawings
- Provenance and condition are important given the age of works (mid-18th century)
- Subject matter matters: Italianate romantic scenes and figure compositions are characteristic and sought after
Appraisal caveats
- Mortimer died at 38 and produced a relatively limited oeuvre compared to longer-lived contemporaries, which can affect availability and pricing at auction.
- Some sources list a birth year of 1741 rather than 1740; verify dates against specific lot cataloguing when appraising individual works.
- Mortimer's decorative interior work is noted by RKD but may be less frequently encountered at auction than his easel paintings, drawings, and prints.
Evidence
Sources for artist context
This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.
- RKD — Netherlands Institute for Art History library authority
- Tate museum or university
- Wikidata library authority
- VIAF library authority
- Getty Vocabulary Program library authority
- Library of Congress library authority
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 John Hamilton Mortimer 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 John Hamilton Mortimer artwork?
Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.