Richard Westall Auction Prices and Value Guide
Richard Westall auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 229 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.
Richard Westall auction prices: quick answer
Richard Westall auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.
- Artist
- Richard Westall
- Source records
- 229
- Market update
- 2026-02-16
Artist context
About Richard Westall
Richard Westall (1765–1836) was an English painter, illustrator, and engraver best known for his portraits of Lord Byron and his historical and literary subject paintings. Born in Hertfordshire and initially trained as a silversmith, Westall shifted to fine art study in 1785 and went on to build a career spanning portraiture, miniature painting, watercolour, and printmaking. He exhibited at the Royal Academy and gained prominence for his refined neoclassical style, which suited the literary and historical themes popular in late-Georgian Britain. Westall served as drawing master to the young Queen Victoria, cementing his standing in the British art establishment. His brother William Westall (1781–1850) was also a noted landscape painter. Works by Richard Westall are held in the Tate collection and other major British institutions, and his illustrations appeared in several popular literary publications of the period.
oil paintingwatercolourengravinglithographyportraitshistorical eventsliterary subjects
Common works and media
Collectors most frequently encounter Westall's work as portrait paintings (especially of Byron), literary and historical subject compositions in oil or watercolour, miniature portraits, and engraved or lithographed book illustrations. His illustrations for editions of British poetry and literary annuals were widely distributed, so printed plates after his designs appear regularly on the market. Original oil paintings and watercolours are less common at auction. RKD records him as active across painting, watercolour, engraving, lithography, illumination, and miniature painting.
Market and appraisal context
Richard Westall's works appear at auction primarily in Old Master Paintings, British Art, and Works on Paper categories. His oil portraits and literary subject paintings are the most sought-after, particularly those depicting Lord Byron or scenes from well-known literary works. Reproductive engravings after his designs circulate more widely and tend to realise lower prices than unique paintings. Factors that affect appraisal include whether a work is an original composition or a print after Westall, the subject and sitter identity, medium, provenance, and condition. Watercolours and miniatures occupy a middle market range. Collectors should verify attribution carefully, as Westall's illustrations were widely reproduced in books and prints through the early nineteenth century.
Auction categories and appraisal factors
Appraisal caveats
- Westall produced both original paintings and reproductive engravings; auction records may mix the two categories
- Book illustrations and engraved plates are more widely available than unique oil paintings or watercolours
- No specific realised auction prices were available in the source pack; collectors should consult major auction databases for comparable lots
Evidence
Sources for artist context
This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.
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 Richard Westall 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 Richard Westall artwork?
Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.