Robert Goodnough Auction Prices and Value Guide

Robert Goodnough auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 629 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.

Robert Goodnough auction prices: quick answer

Robert Goodnough auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.

Artist
Robert Goodnough
Source records
629
Market update
2026-02-06

Artist context

About Robert Goodnough

Robert Goodnough (1917–2010) was an American painter and collagist associated with the New York School and the broader Abstract Expressionist movement. Born in Cortland, New York, he studied at Syracuse University before serving in World War II. After the war he trained at the Ozenfant School of Fine Arts and with Hans Hofmann in Provincetown, earning a master's degree in art education from New York University in 1949. Goodnough participated in the landmark 9th Street Art Exhibition in 1951 and the subsequent New York Painting and Sculpture Annuals, placing him among the core circle of second-generation Abstract Expressionists. His stylistic evolution carried him from vibrant, Cubist-influenced abstractions in the 1950s to expansive Color Field canvases later in his career. Major solo exhibitions at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Albright-Knox Art Gallery cemented his institutional reputation. Works by Goodnough are held in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art and other public institutions.

Abstract ExpressionismNew York SchoolColor Field paintingoil on canvascollageabstract composition

Common works and media

Collectors and appraisers most frequently encounter Goodnough's oil paintings on canvas, which range from smaller gallery-scale works to large Color Field compositions. Works on paper, including collages, are also well represented in the market. His early Cubist-inspired abstractions often feature geometric fragmentation and bold color, while later works tend toward expansive stained or poured-color surfaces. Prints and multiples may appear less often but are documented. Subject matter is consistently non-objective across his career.

Market and appraisal context

Robert Goodnough's auction market is well established, with 460 recorded lots dating from 1993 to April 2026 and 325 priced results providing a meaningful statistical base. The price distribution is wide — from $25 for minor prints to $52,500 for major paintings — with a median of $1,952 and an interquartile range of $500–$4,375. His work trades primarily through established Post-War and Contemporary Art channels at houses including Christie's, Sotheby's, Bonhams, Hindman, and Freeman's, alongside regional specialists such as RoGallery, Rago Arts and Auction Center, Cottone Auctions, and Concept Art Gallery. Liquidity is moderate: 24 lots appeared in the trailing 12 months versus 49 in the prior period, suggesting some softening in offer volume but continued active turnover. The market segments clearly by medium and period — large Color Field canvases from the 1980s (e.g., 'Movement Abstract', 62×108 in., $5,000; 'Color White Gray', 48×78 in., $5,000) and 1950s Abstract Expressionist oils (e.g., 'Horse and Rider', $28,000) command the strongest prices, while screenprints, serigraphs, and minor works on paper cluster in the $90–$400 range.

Auction categories and appraisal factors

Common auction categories

  • Post-War and Contemporary Art
  • American Art
  • Prints and Multiples
  • Works on Paper

Value drivers

  1. Period: early Cubist-inspired abstractions from the 1950s versus later Color Field canvases represent distinct collecting markets
  2. Provenance: gallery history with Wittenborn and Tibor de Nagy provides traceable provenance for works sold through those galleries
  3. Exhibition history: works with documented exhibition records at institutions such as the Whitney Museum, Albright-Knox, or Art Institute of Chicago may carry premium significance
  4. Medium: oil paintings, works on paper, and collages are all known; medium and scale affect value
  5. Authenticity and attribution should be confirmed given the artist's long career and stylistic evolution
  6. Period and style: 1950s Abstract Expressionist works (e.g., 'Horse and Rider', $28,000) trade significantly higher than later Color Field canvases of comparable size (typically $3,000–$6,000 for large examples)

Appraisal caveats

  • Goodnough's stylistic range — from Cubist-inspired abstraction through Abstract Expressionism to Color Field — means works from different periods may vary significantly in market profile.
  • No catalogue raisonné is referenced in available sources; attribution questions should be assessed by a qualified specialist.
  • Market data in this profile is based on biographical and institutional sources only; realized auction prices require separate verification.
  • Auction records reflect hammer or realized prices at public sale and do not include buyer's premiums, private sale results, or gallery retail pricing. Actual market value may differ.

Evidence

Sources for artist context

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

Source-grounded artist Markdown

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 Robert Goodnough

LLM summary index · LLM full index

Artist value FAQ

How much is Robert Goodnough 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 Robert Goodnough artwork?

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