Robert Peak Auction Prices and Value Guide
Robert Peak auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 220 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.
Robert Peak auction prices: quick answer
Robert Peak auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.
- Artist
- Robert Peak
- Source records
- 220
- Market update
- 2026-02-16
Artist context
About Robert Peak
Robert Peake the Elder (c. 1551–1619) was an English painter who served the courts of Elizabeth I and James I. Originally trained as a goldsmith in London, he transitioned to portrait painting and rose to prominence as a court artist. In 1604 he was appointed picture maker to Prince Henry, the heir to the throne, and in 1607 became serjeant-painter to King James I alongside John De Critz. Peake is widely regarded as the principal portraitist of Prince Henry, producing numerous images of the prince and other members of the royal family. His portraits are recognized for their rich coloring, detailed rendering of costume and armor, and the inclusion of heraldic and allegorical elements that reflect the pageantry of the Jacobean court. Works by Peake are held in major public collections including the Tate, the National Portrait Gallery in London, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Elizabethan portraitureJacobean portraitureoil on paneloil on canvasroyal portraiturearistocratic portraiturecourtly and heraldic imagery
Common works and media
Robert Peake the Elder is known for full-length and half-length oil portraits of English royalty and aristocracy, typically on panel or canvas. Common subjects include Prince Henry, King James I, Charles I as a child, and various courtiers and noblewomen. His paintings often feature elaborate costume detail, armor, heraldic devices, and decorative architectural or landscape backgrounds. Prints and engravings after his compositions also circulate. In appraisal contexts, works may range from securely attributed autograph portraits to workshop variants, later copies, and reproductive prints after his designs.
Market and appraisal context
Works by Robert Peake the Elder appear at auction primarily as early English portraits on panel or canvas. Value depends on attribution certainty (autograph versus workshop or later copy), sitter identification, provenance depth, condition, and scale. Portraits of Prince Henry or other identifiable royals generate the strongest interest. Because the body of securely attributed work is relatively small, each auction appearance warrants individual comparison against public sale records from major houses. Specialist connoisseurship is essential for attribution.
Auction categories and appraisal factors
Appraisal caveats
- Secure attribution to Robert Peake the Elder requires specialist connoisseurship; many works pass through auction as 'attributed to' or 'circle of' rather than firmly autograph.
- The corpus of securely attributed works is relatively small, so each appearance at auction should be assessed individually against comparable public sale records.
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 Robert Peak 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 Peak artwork?
Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.