# Robert Goodnough artist context and auction value notes

Canonical page: https://appraisily.com/artist/robert-goodnough/
Profile generated: 2026-05-06T21:14:00.000Z
Quality: high confidence, strong sources

## Artist identity

- Birth date: 1917-10-23
- Death date: 2010-10-02
- Nationality: American
- Movements: Abstract Expressionism, New York School, Color Field painting
- Common media: oil on canvas, collage

## 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.

## 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-house-backed market evidence

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.

### Appraisal notes

Appraisily would use these auction records as comparable-sale evidence alongside photographs of the work, measured dimensions, medium identification, signature examination, condition report, and documented provenance. For Goodnough specifically, the appraiser would need to (1) identify the work's period — 1950s Cubist-inspired abstraction, mid-career transitional work, or later Color Field canvas — since these represent materially different market segments; (2) confirm medium, as the artist worked in oil, acrylic, gouache, pastel, ink, collage, and printmaking, each with distinct value ranges; (3) assess scale, since the record shows a strong correlation between size and realized price (large canvases regularly exceeding $5,000, small works and prints under $500); (4) verify attribution given the absence of a published catalogue raisonné; and (5) research provenance tracing to Tibor de Nagy, Wittenborn, or other known gallery relationships. Comparable lots from the recent 24-month window — particularly same-period, same-medium works at similar scale — would anchor the appraisal range.

### Valuation factors

- 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)
- Medium: original oil and acrylic paintings on canvas command the highest prices; gouache and pastel works trade in a middle tier ($1,000–$2,000); screenprints, serigraphs, and etchings cluster at $90–$400
- Scale: large-format canvases (48 inches and above) consistently outperform smaller works; the 'Movement Abstract' at 62×108 in. and 'Color White Gray' at 48×78 in. both realized $5,000
- Provenance: documented gallery history with Tibor de Nagy or Wittenborn, or exhibition records at the Whitney, Albright-Knox, or Art Institute of Chicago, can support premium valuations
- Condition: given the age range of works (1950s–2000s), condition is a significant variable, especially for unstretched canvases, works on board, or prints with fading
- Attribution: no published catalogue raisonné exists; works should be assessed for signature consistency, period-appropriate materials, and stylistic coherence

### Collector notes

- Goodnough's market offers accessible entry points for collectors of American Abstract Expressionism. Prints and serigraphs such as 'Autumn Leaves Always' and 'Confetti Pattern' have recently traded at $90–$400, making them among the most affordable works by a documented 9th Street Show participant. For collectors seeking paintings, the $2,000–$6,000 range regularly yields mid-size to large canvases from the 1980s and 1990s. The standout recent result — 'Horse and Rider' at $28,000 at Cottone Auctions in March 2026 — suggests that early-period figurative-abstract works from the 1950s and 1960s retain strong demand. Sellers should note that the trailing 12-month lot count (24) is roughly half the prior year's (49), which may indicate tightening supply rather than reduced demand. Works with documented exhibition history or Tibor de Nagy provenance should be highlighted in listings. Minor works on paper and prints are liquid but low-value; consignment at regional houses is common.

### Market caveats

- 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.
- The 460-lot record base spans over 30 years; early-era results may not reflect current market conditions. The recent 24-month window provides the most relevant comparables.
- No published catalogue raisonné is known for Robert Goodnough. Attribution should be verified by a qualified specialist, particularly for unsigned works or works outside well-documented periods.
- Goodnough's stylistic evolution — from Cubist-inspired abstraction through Abstract Expressionism to Color Field — means works from different periods may not be directly comparable. Appraisal should account for period-specific demand.
- Some recent lots list a currency of EUR or GBP; price comparisons should account for exchange-rate differences at the time of sale.
- Several recent lots show null price-realized values, indicating either unsold results or data gaps; these lots are excluded from price-distribution statistics.

### Market evidence sources

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- undefined: https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot-robert-goodnough-american-1917-2010-oil-and-acrylic-on-canvas-1984-color-white-gray-h-48-w-78-frame-size-h-49-25-w-79-25-1007-c-f58406aba5
- undefined: https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot-robert-goodnough-american-1917-2010-oil-and-acrylic-on-canvas-1989-movement-abstract-h-62-w-108-frame-size-h-63-5-w-109-1006-c-01b4584875
- undefined: https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot-robert-arthur-goodnough-american-1917-2010-gouache-on-canvas-signed-142-c-288ce1f3aa
- undefined: https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot-robert-goodnough-american-1917-2010-abstract-oil-on-board-518-c-1359c77149
- undefined: https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot-robert-goodnough-american-1917-2010-horse-and-rider-43-c-73083dd95c
- undefined: https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot-robert-goodnough-autumn-leaves-always-screenprint-180-c-6d6b9b1d6f
- undefined: https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot-robert-goodnough-self-portrait-l-g-painting-78-c-4396a28a17
- undefined: https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot-robert-goodnough-american-1917-2010-pastel-shapes-1985-105-c-ef3f264c4e
- undefined: https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot-robert-goodnough-american-b-1917-d-2010-ink-sketch-etching-c-1960-framed-169-c-3a06ce325e
- undefined: https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot-robert-goodnough-n-4-acrylic-and-oil-on-canvas-40-c-431d8459b5
- undefined: https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot-robert-goodnough-1917-2010-figures-in-a-boat-1963-202-c-aef47ccb18
- undefined: https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot-robert-goodnough-artist-s-monograph-with-hand-painted-cover-147-c-5754782a5c
- undefined: https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot-robert-goodnough-pink-red-and-blue-screenprint-153-c-a19417688d
- undefined: https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot-robert-goodnough-iii-b-1968-57-c-dfe43829fe

## Appraisily data basis

Appraisily artist pages combine artist identity research from museum, library-authority, and biographical sources with auction records, auction-house context, sale dates, realized prices, and comparable lots when those records are available. For Robert Goodnough, identity and biographical data are grounded in the Library of Congress Name Authority File, Getty ULAN, VIAF, the RKD, and the Museum of Modern Art.

## Sources

- Library of Congress: https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n81118903
- VIAF: https://viaf.org/viaf/64814171/
- RKD — Netherlands Institute for Art History: https://rkd.nl/en/explore/artists/284240
- The Museum of Modern Art: https://www.moma.org/artists/2242
- Getty Vocabulary Program: https://vocab.getty.edu/page/ulan/500032447
- Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7344845
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Goodnough