# Don Freeman artist context and auction value notes

Canonical page: https://appraisily.com/artist/don-freeman/
Profile generated: 2026-05-14T20:18:33.503Z
Quality: high confidence, strong sources

## Artist identity

- Nationality: American
- Common media: painting, printmaking, illustration, drawing, cartooning

## About Don Freeman

Don Freeman (1908–1978) was an American painter, printmaker, cartoonist, and illustrator best known for his vivid depictions of New York City life and for authoring and illustrating beloved children's books. Born in San Diego, California, Freeman moved to New York where he became a keen observer of urban culture, frequently setting his work in and around Times Square. Active from the 1930s through the 1970s, he worked across fine art and commercial illustration, producing paintings, lithographic prints, editorial cartoons, and book illustrations. His children's books earned lasting popularity, while his paintings and prints of city scenes captured the energy and character of mid-century Manhattan. His family continues to steward his creative legacy through an official website and posthumous publications.

## Common works and media

Collectors and appraisers may encounter Don Freeman's work in several forms: original oil and watercolor paintings of New York City street scenes, particularly Times Square; lithographic and other prints; editorial cartoons and drawings; and original illustrations created for his children's books. Preliminary sketches and manuscript drawings also circulate. His published children's books, while primarily collectible as literature, can carry added value when accompanied by original artwork or signed by the artist.

## Market and appraisal context

Don Freeman's work appears at auction across several categories, including original paintings, prints, works on paper, and children's book illustration art. Collectors most frequently encounter his New York City urban scenes, which are his most recognizable fine-art subjects. Appraisal considerations include whether a work is an original painting, an original print, or a book illustration reproduction; the subject matter and period; provenance history; and condition. His dual career as fine artist and children's book author means his work may appear in both illustration-art and American-painting auction contexts. Consulting comparable public auction records and verifying attribution are recommended steps for any Freeman appraisal.

## Appraisily data basis

This Appraisily artist page draws on identity data from the Getty Union List of Artist Names, VIAF, Wikidata, the RKD Netherlands Institute for Art History, the artist's official website, and Wikipedia. Market observations reference the artist's documented media, subject categories, and career context. When available, Appraisily supplements artist profiles with auction records, auction-house context, sale dates, realized prices, and comparable lots from public auction databases.

## Sources

- RKD - Netherlands Institute for Art History: https://rkd.nl/en/explore/artists/29320
- Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5292635
- VIAF (OCLC): https://viaf.org/viaf/24791057/
- Getty Vocabulary Program: https://vocab.getty.edu/page/ulan/500198701
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Freeman
- Don Freeman Estate: http://donfreeman.info
- Library of Congress: https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n79083605