Leon Underwood Auction Prices and Value Guide
Leon Underwood auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 381 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.
Leon Underwood auction prices: quick answer
Leon Underwood auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.
- Artist
- Leon Underwood
- Source records
- 381
- Market update
- 2026-02-16
Artist context
About Leon Underwood
Leon Underwood (1890–1975), born George Claude Leon Underwood, was a British sculptor, painter, printmaker, and illustrator recognized for his expressive figurative work and deep engagement with non-Western art traditions. After studying in London, he founded the Brook Green School of Drawing (1921–1938), where he taught a generation of British artists. Extended travels in West Africa and Mexico profoundly shaped his approach to the human form, and he became an early advocate for African art in Britain. Although his rejection of abstraction kept him outside the modernist mainstream for much of his career, a critical reassessment beginning in the 1960s established him as a significant figure in the development of modern British sculpture. His work is held by major institutions including Tate.
Modern British Sculpture (figurative tradition)Bronze sculptureStone carvingMarble carvingWood carvingHuman figureNon-Western art motifs (African, Pre-Columbian)
Common works and media
Underwood produced bronze sculptures (including figurative works and portrait heads), carved stone and marble pieces, wood carvings, oil paintings, woodcuts and other prints, and ink or pencil drawings. The human figure is the dominant subject throughout his career, often interpreted through the lens of African and pre-Columbian art. His prints — particularly wood engravings and etchings — appear regularly at auction alongside small-to-medium-scale bronzes.
Market and appraisal context
Leon Underwood's work appears with moderate frequency at auction, with over 380 recorded lots spanning sculpture, prints, paintings, and drawings. Bronze sculptures — especially those reflecting his African and Mexican influences — tend to attract the strongest market interest. Collectors should note edition size and foundry marks for bronze casts, as well as provenance and exhibition history. His paintings and prints offer a more accessible entry point. As with any artist whose career spanned five decades across multiple media, careful attribution and condition assessment are essential for accurate appraisal.
Auction categories and appraisal factors
Value drivers
- Medium: Bronze casts, carved stone, and marble works are typically the most sought-after; wood carvings and paintings also appear at auction
- Subject matter: Works reflecting his African or Mexican influences and figurative human forms are characteristic
- Provenance and exhibition history: Pieces with documented exhibition records or museum provenance carry stronger market interest
- Attribution: Given the range of media and long career, careful authentication is recommended; comparison with documented works from his Brook Green School period or later is advised
- Edition: Bronze sculptures may exist in multiple casts; edition number and foundry marks affect value
Appraisal caveats
- Underwood was not aligned with mainstream modernism, so his market profile is more niche than contemporaries who embraced abstraction.
- 381 auction lots are recorded, suggesting a moderate but consistent secondary-market presence.
- RKD notes conflicting death dates of 1975 and 1978; 1975 is the consensus across Tate, Wikidata, and VIAF.
Evidence
Sources for artist context
This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.
- Wikidata library authority
- Wikipedia wikipedia
- Getty Vocabulary Program library authority
- VIAF library authority
- Library of Congress library authority
- Tate museum or university
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 Leon Underwood 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 Leon Underwood artwork?
Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.