Thomas Hudson Auction Prices and Value Guide
Thomas Hudson auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 255 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.
Thomas Hudson auction prices: quick answer
Thomas Hudson auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.
- Artist
- Thomas Hudson
- Source records
- 255
- Market update
- 2026-02-06
Artist context
About Thomas Hudson
Thomas Hudson (1701–1779) was an English portrait painter active during the Georgian era. Born in Devon, he trained under the prominent painter Jonathan Richardson I and later married Richardson's daughter, cementing a close professional and familial bond. Hudson became one of the most fashionable portraitists in London during the 1740s and 1750s, painting aristocrats, military officers, clergy, and other prominent figures of the day. His portraits are held in major public collections including the Tate, the National Portrait Gallery, and the National Gallery of Art. Beyond painting, Hudson was an avid collector of Dutch, Flemish, and Italian art and drawings. His studio employed several assistants who later became notable painters in their own right. Collectors today encounter Hudson's work primarily through the British Old Master painting market.
Georgian-era English portraitureoil on canvasdrawingprintmakingportraits of aristocracy and gentrymilitary officersclergy
Common works and media
Hudson's most commonly encountered works are three-quarter and full-length oil-on-canvas portraits of British gentry, aristocrats, military officers, and clergy from the 1730s through the 1760s. Many were engraved by contemporary printmakers, so engraved reproductions after his portraits also circulate. Original drawings are rarer at auction but do appear. Works attributed to Hudson's studio or circle are more numerous than fully autograph paintings and represent a distinct collecting tier.
Market and appraisal context
Thomas Hudson's portraits appear regularly in the British Old Master auction market. Key factors affecting appraisal include whether the work is fully attributed to Hudson, produced with studio assistance, or from his broader circle. Sitter identity matters: portraits of known historical figures, titled aristocracy, or military commanders typically achieve higher prices. Full-length compositions generally command a premium over bust or three-quarter formats. As with any 18th-century painting, condition, provenance, and exhibition history are critical. His drawings and prints surface less frequently but are of interest to collectors of British works on paper.
Auction categories and appraisal factors
Appraisal caveats
- The auction record (255 lots) includes works attributed to Hudson, his studio, circle, and followers; not all lots are fully attributed.
- Hudson's market is within the broader British Old Master segment, where prices vary widely by sitter importance, size, and condition.
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
- Getty Vocabulary Program library authority
- VIAF library authority
- Wikipedia wikipedia
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 Thomas Hudson 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 Thomas Hudson artwork?
Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.