John Joseph Cotman Works on Paper: Value & Auction Prices

1814–1878

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Of the 51 lots by John Joseph Cotman (works on paper) recorded at auction between 2009 and 2026, 28 found a buyer (55%). Half of the priced sales fell between $237Sign up free to see and $1.1kSign up free to see, with a median of $415Sign up free to see. Riverside, Norwich watercolour holds the top price on file: $5kSign up free to see at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers (March 2015). Most results come from Keys Fine Art Auctioneers (48), Bonhams (2) and Sworders (1).

£3,400≈ $5,026≈ €4,754Sign uprecord priceRiverside, Norwich watercolourKeys Fine Art Auctioneers51auction results2009–2026years recorded55%sold$415Sign up free to seemedian price

John Joseph Cotman works on paper prices at a glance

Auction results
51 2009–2026
Price range
$128–$5kSign up free to see
Median price
$415Sign up free to see 28 sold
Most recent sale
$173Sign up free to see Mar 2026, Keys Fine Art Auctioneers
Record sale
$5kSign up free to see 2015, Keys Fine Art Auctioneers

Recent sales: Study of rural landscape in autumn · Riverbank view · A view down a woodland pathway

Explore: All John Joseph Cotman results · What is John Joseph Cotman worth? · Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · Bonhams

John Joseph Cotman works on paper: key figures

Auction results
51
Sold rate
55%
Active at auction
2009–2026
Median price
$415Sign up free to see
Record price
$5kSign up free to see Riverside, Norwich watercolour, Keys Fine Art Auctioneers, Mar 2015

Top auction houses: Keys Fine Art Auctioneers (48), Bonhams (2), Sworders (1)

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Typical range is the middle half of priced sales (USD at the sale-date rate). Past auction results, not a valuation.

Price chart & statistics for John Joseph Cotman →

All works on paper results

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  1. Study of rural landscape in autumn by John Joseph Cotman, watercolour, sold Mar 2026
    Study of rural landscape in autumn
    Watercolor
    29x19cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 657
    £130≈ $173≈ €150HammerSign up free to seeEst. £60–80View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  2. A view down a woodland pathway by John Joseph Cotman, 1872, watercolour, sold Jul 2024
    A view down a woodland pathway, 1872
    Watercolor
    20x29cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 713
    £300≈ $386≈ €356HammerSign up free to seeEst. £60–150View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  3. Riverbank view by John Joseph Cotman, 1870, watercolour, sold Jul 2024
    Riverbank view, 1870
    Watercolor
    30x43.5cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 710
    £100≈ $129≈ €119HammerSign up free to seeEst. £100–200View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  4. Donkey in a Shed by John Joseph Cotman, 1861, pencil on paper, offered Mar 2024
    Donkey in a Shed, 1861
    Drawing · Paper
    20x31cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 612
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £120–150View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  5. View of Norwich from Mousehold Heath by John Joseph Cotman, 1872, pencil on paper, offered Mar 2024
    View of Norwich from Mousehold Heath, 1872
    Drawing · Paper
    32x49cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 596
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £120–150View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  6. View over a wooded valley by John Joseph Cotman, 1870, watercolour, sold Mar 2024
    View over a wooded valley, 1870
    Watercolor
    36x50cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 538
    £240≈ $303≈ €281HammerSign up free to seeEst. £150–200View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  7. View of Norwich from Mousehold Heath by John Joseph Cotman, 1872, pencil on paper, sold Dec 2023
    View of Norwich from Mousehold Heath, 1872
    Drawing · Paper
    32x49cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 79
    £100≈ $128≈ €117HammerSign up free to seeEst. £150–200View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  8. Donkey in a Shed by John Joseph Cotman, 1861, pencil on paper, sold Dec 2023
    Donkey in a Shed, 1861
    Drawing · Paper
    20x31cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 52
    £100≈ $128≈ €117HammerSign up free to seeEst. £150–200View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  9. View over a wooded valley by John Joseph Cotman, 1870, watercolour, sold Dec 2023
    View over a wooded valley, 1870
    Watercolor
    36x50cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 74
    £140≈ $179≈ €163HammerSign up free to seeEst. £200–250View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  10. Cowgate, Norwich by John Joseph Cotman, 1872, pencil on paper, sold Nov 2023
    Cowgate, Norwich, 1872
    Drawing · Paper
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 520
    £340≈ $427≈ €392HammerSign up free to seeEst. £200–300View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  11. Autumnal countryside with a trio of figures walking along by John Joseph Cotman, 1872, watercolour, sold Nov 2023
    Autumnal countryside with a trio of figures walking along, 1872
    Watercolor
    27x65cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 533
    £320≈ $402≈ €369HammerSign up free to seeEst. £250–300View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  12. Cow Tower, Norwich by John Joseph Cotman, 1869, watercolour, offered Nov 2023
    Cow Tower, Norwich, 1869
    Watercolor
    53x75cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 529
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £200–250View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  13. Shepherd in a Landscape by John Joseph Cotman, watercolour, sold Nov 2023
    Shepherd in a Landscape
    Watercolor
    74x35cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 524
    £230≈ $289≈ €265HammerSign up free to seeEst. £250–300View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  14. Trowse Hythe, Norwich by John Joseph Cotman, watercolour, sold Nov 2022
    Trowse Hythe, Norwich
    Watercolor
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 735
    £440≈ $532≈ €512HammerSign up free to seeEst. £250–350View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  15. Untitled by John Joseph Cotman, watercolour 22.5 x 31.5cm Provenance: The residual contents of Bixley Manor, sold Sep 2022
    Untitled
    Watercolor
    Sworders · · Lot 201
    £220≈ $238≈ €246HammerSign up free to seeEst. £250–350View at Sworders ↗
  16. On The Yare near Norwich by John Joseph Cotman, watercolour, sold Mar 2022
    On The Yare near Norwich
    Watercolor
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 645
    £300≈ $396≈ €360HammerSign up free to seeEst. £300–500View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  17. Landscape with figures along a path and buildings in the distance by John Joseph Cotman, watercolour, sold Mar 2022
    Landscape with figures along a path and buildings in the distance
    Watercolor
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 643
    £180≈ $238≈ €216HammerSign up free to seeEst. £200–300View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  18. Shipping in the Medway by John Joseph Cotman, Watercolour, offered Nov 2021
    Shipping in the Medway
    Watercolor
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 558
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £1,200–1,800View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  19. Back River at Norwich by John Joseph Cotman, watercolour, sold Oct 2020
    Back River at Norwich
    Watercolor
    37 x 51cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 29
    £370≈ $480≈ €410HammerSign up free to seeEst. £400–600View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  20. Back River at Norwich by John Joseph Cotman, watercolour, offered May 2020
    Back River at Norwich
    Watercolor
    37 x 51cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 13
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £500–600View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  21. Mousehold, Norwich by John Joseph Cotman, watercolour, sold May 2020
    Mousehold, Norwich
    Watercolor
    36 x 65cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 12
    £460≈ $569≈ €524HammerSign up free to seeEst. £500–600View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  22. Thorpe Gardens by John Joseph Cotman, 1873, watercolour, offered May 2020
    Thorpe Gardens, 1873
    Watercolor
    29 x 50cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 11
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £600–800View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  23. Landscape with farmstead by John Joseph Cotman, 1870, watercolour, sold May 2019
    Landscape with farmstead, 1870
    Watercolor
    15 x 27cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 551
    £130≈ $164≈ €147HammerSign up free to seeEst. £120–150View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  24. Portrait of a gentleman, believed to be the artist's father, John Sell Cotman aged 57 pencil and chalk drawing by John Joseph Cotman, 1839, pencil and chalk, sold Apr 2019
    £1,450≈ $1,870≈ €1,679HammerSign up free to seeEst. £1,500–2,000View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  25. Landscape with farmstead watercolour by John Joseph Cotman, 1870, watercolour, offered Apr 2019
    Landscape with farmstead watercolour, 1870
    Watercolor
    15 x 27cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 58
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £150–200View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  26. Portrait of Tom, the Cotman family runner or Studio boy at aged 40 coloured chalks by John Joseph Cotman, drawing, offered Oct 2018
    Portrait of Tom, the Cotman family runner or Studio boy at aged 40 coloured chalks
    Drawing
    24 x 18cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 33A
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £200–300View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  27. River landscape with distant view of Norwich watercolour by John Joseph Cotman, watercolour, offered Oct 2018
    River landscape with distant view of Norwich watercolour
    Watercolor
    23 x 62cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 62
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £350–450View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  28. Figure in a landscape watercolour by John Joseph Cotman, 1874, watercolour, offered Oct 2018
    Figure in a landscape watercolour, 1874
    Watercolor
    43 x 60cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 61
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £400–600View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  29. Head and shoulders portrait of a gent charcoal drawing by John Joseph Cotman, 1864, charcoal, offered Apr 2018
    Head and shoulders portrait of a gent charcoal drawing, 1864
    Drawing
    33 x 23cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 27
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £80–100View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  30. Panoramic landscape with distant view of Norwich watercolour by John Joseph Cotman, watercolour, sold Apr 2018
    Panoramic landscape with distant view of Norwich watercolour
    Watercolor
    25 x 87cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 25
    £1,600≈ $2,202≈ €1,824HammerSign up free to seeEst. £1,500–1,800View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  31. Anglers by a boathouse watercolour by John Joseph Cotman, 1877, watercolour, offered Apr 2018
    Anglers by a boathouse watercolour, 1877
    Watercolor
    36 x 50cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 23
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £650–800View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  32. Riverside, Norwich by John Joseph Cotman, 1870, watercolour, offered Apr 2018
    Riverside, Norwich, 1870
    Watercolor
    40 x 66cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 22A
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £2,000–3,000View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  33. Figures in a village street by a riverside watercolour by John Joseph Cotman, watercolour, offered Apr 2018
    Figures in a village street by a riverside watercolour
    Watercolor
    36 x 63cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 22
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £800–1,000View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  34. **** place, Norwich watercolour by John Joseph Cotman, watercolour, sold Apr 2018
    **** place, Norwich watercolour
    Watercolor
    23 x 74cm
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 21
    £360≈ $495≈ €410HammerSign up free to seeEst. £300–400View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  35. Head and shoulders portrait of a gent charcoal drawing by John Joseph Cotman, 1864, charcoal, offered Oct 2017
    Head and shoulders portrait of a gent charcoal drawing, 1864
    Drawing
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 9
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £150–200View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  36. Portrait of a Soldier black chalk drawing by John Joseph Cotman, drawing, offered Oct 2017
    Portrait of a Soldier black chalk drawing
    Drawing
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 8
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £100–150View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  37. **** place, Norwich watercolour by John Joseph Cotman, watercolour, offered Oct 2017
    **** place, Norwich watercolour
    Watercolor
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 13
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £500–600View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  38. Panoramic landscape with distant view of Norwich watercolour by John Joseph Cotman, watercolour, offered Oct 2017
    Panoramic landscape with distant view of Norwich watercolour
    Watercolor
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 12
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £2,000–3,000View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  39. Anglers by a boathouse watercolour by John Joseph Cotman, 1877, watercolour, offered Oct 2017
    Anglers by a boathouse watercolour, 1877
    Watercolor
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 11
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £800–1,200View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  40. Figures in a village street by a riverside watercolour by John Joseph Cotman, watercolour, offered Oct 2017
    Figures in a village street by a riverside watercolour
    Watercolor
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 10
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £1,000–1,500View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  41. Portrait of a Soldier black chalk drawing by John Joseph Cotman, drawing, offered Mar 2017
    Portrait of a Soldier black chalk drawing
    Drawing
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 1381
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £100–150View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  42. Figure by woodland stream watercolour by John Joseph Cotman, watercolour, offered Nov 2016
    Figure by woodland stream watercolour
    Watercolor
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 1418
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £200–300View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  43. (1814-1878), SIGNED AND DATED 1871 LOWER RIGHT, WATERCOLOUR  The Foundry Bridge, by John Joseph Cotman, 1871, WATERCOLOUR, sold Apr 2015
    (1814-1878), SIGNED AND DATED 1871 LOWER RIGHT, WATERCOLOUR The Foundry Bridge,, 1871
    Watercolor
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 388
    £660≈ $963≈ €911HammerSign up free to seeEst. £1,000–1,500View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  44. Portrait of a the Artist s Father John Sell Cotman Aged 57 pencil drawing by John Joseph Cotman, 1839, pencil, sold Mar 2015
    Portrait of a the Artist s Father John Sell Cotman Aged 57 pencil drawing, 1839
    Drawing
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 202
    £2,200≈ $3,252≈ €3,076HammerSign up free to seeEst. £400–600View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  45. Bishops Bridge, Norwich watercolour by John Joseph Cotman, 1867, watercolour, sold Mar 2015
    Bishops Bridge, Norwich watercolour, 1867
    Watercolor
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 203
    £2,000≈ $2,956≈ €2,796HammerSign up free to seeEst. £2,000–3,000View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  46. Thorpe Gardens by John Joseph Cotman, watercolour, sold Mar 2015
    Thorpe Gardens
    Watercolor
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 201
    £950≈ $1,404≈ €1,328HammerSign up free to seeEst. £1,000–1,500View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  47. River Scene   Thorpe by John Joseph Cotman, watercolour, sold Mar 2015
    River Scene Thorpe
    Watercolor
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 200
    £900≈ $1,330≈ €1,258HammerSign up free to seeEst. £600–800View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  48. Riverside, Norwich watercolour by John Joseph Cotman, 1875, watercolour, sold Mar 2015
    Riverside, Norwich watercolour, 1875
    Watercolor
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 199
    £3,400≈ $5,026≈ €4,754HammerSign up free to seeEst. £1,500–2,000View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  49. The Foundry Bridge, Norwich watercolour by John Joseph Cotman, 1871, watercolour, offered Mar 2015
    The Foundry Bridge, Norwich watercolour, 1871
    Watercolor
    Keys Fine Art Auctioneers · · Lot 198
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. £1,500–2,000View at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers ↗
  50. Portrait of a gentleman by John Joseph Cotman, charcoal and chalk, sold May 2012
    Portrait of a gentleman
    Drawing
    41 x 32cm (16 1/8 x 12 5/8in).
    Bonhams · · Lot 89
    £150≈ $234≈ €188Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. £200–300View at Bonhams ↗

Questions about John Joseph Cotman works on paper

How much is a John Joseph Cotman works on paper worth?

John Joseph Cotman works on paper in ArtSell’s records have sold for between $128 and $5,026, with a median of $415; half of the 28 priced sales were between $237 and $1,055. These are past auction results, not a valuation: size, medium, condition and provenance all change what a particular work brings.

What is the most expensive John Joseph Cotman works on paper sold at auction?

The highest price recorded is $5,026 for “Riverside, Norwich watercolour”, sold at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers in March 2015.

How much do John Joseph Cotman works on paper sell for?

In the last five years the median was $263 across 14 sales. Over the whole record (2009–2026) the median is $415.

How often do John Joseph Cotman works on paper sell at auction?

55% of the 51 works on paper offered at auction in our records sold.

Where are John Joseph Cotman works on paper sold?

Most of the 51 recorded results come from Keys Fine Art Auctioneers (48), Bonhams (2), Sworders (1). Every result on this page links to its auction catalogue.

How can I sell a John Joseph Cotman works on paper?

Send a few photos for a free auction estimate: a specialist reviews it and replies by email, with no obligation to sell.

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