# Thomas Stothard artist context and auction value notes

Canonical page: https://appraisily.com/artist/thomas-stothard/
Profile generated: 2026-05-19T02:44:13.180Z
Quality: high confidence, strong sources

## Artist identity

- Birth date: 1755-08-17
- Death date: 1834-04-27
- Nationality: English, British
- Common media: oil painting, engraving, etching, lithography, illustration, drawing, decorative interior painting

## About Thomas Stothard

Thomas Stothard (1755–1834) was an English painter, illustrator, and engraver whose prolific career spanned the late Georgian and Regency periods. Born in London on 17 August 1755, he trained as a painter while also developing considerable skill in etching, lithography, and book illustration. Stothard became known for decorative interior painting schemes and for narrative compositions drawn from literature and history, many of which were widely disseminated through engraved reproductions. His versatility across oil, watercolour, and print media made his work familiar to a broad public. The RKD Netherlands Institute records him as an English decorative painter of interiors, and his works are held in major collections including Tate. He remained active through at least 1815 and died on 27 April 1834. His son, Robert T. Stothard, also became a painter.

## Common works and media

Collectors and appraisers most frequently encounter Stothard through engraved plates and illustrations after his designs, often published as book illustrations or standalone prints. Original oil paintings, including decorative interior commissions, also appear at auction, along with preparatory drawings, watercolours, and etchings. Narrative subjects drawn from English literature, classical mythology, and historical events are characteristic of his output. Works on paper should be assessed for condition issues typical of late 18th- and early 19th-century materials.

## Market and appraisal context

Thomas Stothard's works appear regularly at auction, with over 300 recorded lots spanning oil paintings, finished drawings, preparatory sketches, engravings, and etchings. Valuation depends heavily on medium: original oil paintings and large-scale decorative works command the strongest results, while reproductive prints after his designs are more accessible. Attribution requires care because Stothard often supplied designs that other engravers executed; distinguishing his hand from workshop or reproductive output is a key appraisal consideration. Condition, provenance, and subject matter — particularly literary or historical narrative scenes — further influence market outcomes.

## Appraisily data basis

This Appraisily artist page combines identity research from Getty ULAN, VIAF, RKD Netherlands Institute, Tate, and Wikidata with auction records and comparable lot data. Sale dates, realized prices, medium, attribution, and provenance details are drawn from available auction-house records when present.

## Sources

- Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2427494
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Stothard
- Getty Vocabulary Program: https://vocab.getty.edu/page/ulan/500028756
- VIAF: https://viaf.org/viaf/27071936/
- Library of Congress: https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n82125254
- Tate: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/thomas-stothard-531
- RKD Netherlands Institute: https://rkd.nl/en/explore/artists/75564