William Dobell Auction Prices and Value Guide
William Dobell auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 568 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.
William Dobell auction prices: quick answer
William Dobell auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.
- Artist
- William Dobell
- Source records
- 568
- Market update
- 2026-02-06
Artist context
About William Dobell
Sir William Dobell (1899–1970) was an Australian painter best known for his distinctive portraits and landscapes. Born in Newcastle, New South Wales, he trained in Sydney and later studied in London at the Slade School of Fine Art, absorbing European modernist ideas that he brought to bear on Australian figurative painting. Dobell won the Archibald Prize, Australia's most prestigious portrait award, on three occasions — a record that cemented his reputation as one of the country's leading figurative artists. His bold, expressive approach to portraiture stirred public debate about the boundaries between representation and caricature, most famously during the 1943 Archibald controversy. Active from the mid-1920s until 1970, he worked across portraits, landscapes, and genre scenes. The Dobell Prize for drawing was established in his honour, reflecting his lasting influence on Australian art.
paintingportraitlandscapegenre picture
Common works and media
Dobell's output includes oil portraits and self-portraits, landscape paintings of Australian coastal and rural settings, figure studies, and genre scenes. Works on paper such as drawings and sketches also circulate in the secondary market. Print editions and reproductive posters derived from his well-known paintings are also encountered by collectors.
Market and appraisal context
William Dobell's works appear regularly in Australian and international auction rooms. His portraits — especially those of prominent sitters and Archibald Prize-related compositions — tend to attract the strongest collector interest. Landscapes and genre scenes from his mature period also trade at auction. Provenance, exhibition history, condition, and whether a work can be securely dated to a recognized phase of his career all affect appraisal value. Collectors should also consider the medium: oil paintings on canvas generally command higher prices than works on paper or studies. Attribution questions can arise with unsigned or undocumented works, making expert verification important.
Auction categories and appraisal factors
Appraisal caveats
- Market values depend heavily on specific work characteristics and recent comparable sales
- Archibald Prize-winning works and studies carry particular significance in the Australian market
- Attribution should be confirmed through expert examination
Evidence
Sources for artist context
This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.
- Wikidata library authority
- Wikipedia wikipedia
- VIAF library authority
- Library of Congress library authority
- RKD library authority
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 William Dobell 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 William Dobell artwork?
Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.