Thomas Cole
American · 1801–1848 · Painter, Printmaker
Thomas Cole was an Anglo-American artist who founded the Hudson River School art movement. He painted romantic landscapes and history paintings. Influenced by European… (Wikipedia)
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Record prices
Catskill Stream, Autumn FoliagePhillips · $38,700≈ £28,838≈ €33,365Sign up to see
Temple of SegestaClarke Auction Gallery · $1,500≈ £1,118≈ €1,284Sign up to see
The voyage of life, YouthBonhams · $538≈ £431≈ €492Sign up to see
Thomas Cole’s highest prices recorded at auction, ranked in US dollars at each sale-date exchange rate and shown in the currency of the sale (with the buyer’s premium where the house publishes it).
ArtSell has recorded 3 auction results for Thomas Cole between 2023 and 2026, of which 3 sold (100%). A further 1 lot was offered at auction without a published result. Recorded sale prices range from $538Sign up free to see to $38.7kSign up free to see. The highest price recorded is $38.7kSign up free to see for Catskill Stream, Autumn Foliage at Phillips in May 2026. The most common medium is oil paintings (3 lots). Most results come from Bonhams (5), DuMouchelles (4) and Rafael Osona Auction (1).
11 results
- $38,700≈ £28,838≈ €33,365Sign up free to see
- $1,500≈ £1,118≈ €1,284Sign up free to see
- The Yoyage of Life: YouthAfter the artist$358≈ £271≈ €312Sign up free to see
- $538≈ £431≈ €492Sign up free to see
- Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. $20,000–40,000
- Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. $20,000–40,000
- Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. $20,000–40,000
- Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. $20,000–40,000
- The Course of Empire, The Savage StateAfter the artistUnsold / did not meet reserveEst. $1,500–2,500
- The voyage of life, YouthAfter the artistUnsold / did not meet reserveEst. $3,000–5,000
Also offered, result not published (1)
Lots by Thomas Cole that were offered at auction where the house did not publish whether they sold. Not counted in any statistics.
Thomas Cole paintings (3)Thomas Cole oil paintings (3)
Thomas Cole: quick facts
What is the highest price paid for a work by Thomas Cole at auction?
$38,700Sign up free to see, for Catskill Stream, Autumn Foliage at Phillips (May 2026) — the highest price in ArtSell’s records.
What is a typical auction price for Thomas Cole?
The median sale price is $1.5kSign up free to see across 3 priced sales. Prices vary by medium, size and date — see the price chart & statistics.
How many works by Thomas Cole have sold at auction?
3 of 3 recorded lots sold between 2023 and 2026. 1 further lot was offered with no published result and is not counted.
Which auction houses sell Thomas Cole?
Bonhams, DuMouchelles and Rafael Osona Auction account for the most recorded results. Bonhams · DuMouchelles · Rafael Osona Auction
About Thomas Cole
Thomas Cole was an Anglo-American artist who founded the Hudson River School art movement. He painted romantic landscapes and history paintings. Influenced by European painters, but with a strong American sensibility, he was prolific throughout his career and worked primarily with oil on canvas.
From Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
In museum collections
National Gallery of Art, Washington · CC0Sketch for Ohio State Capitol Design, c. 1838
National Gallery of Art, Washington · CC0The Voyage of Life: Childhood, 1842
National Gallery of Art, Washington · CC0The Voyage of Life: Youth, 1842
National Gallery of Art, Washington · CC0