Winslow Homer Artwork Value
What's my Winslow Homer artwork worth?
Get a free valuation from photos. Learn how to spot originals vs prints, typical price ranges, and the best way to sell Winslow Homer works.
At-a-glance: Winslow Homer
Bio
Name: Winslow Homer
Years: 1836–1910
Nationality: American
Style
American realism known for marine subjects, powerful seascapes, and masterful watercolors of coastal and wilderness scenes.
What to look for
Cursive "Homer" signature (lower right), period-appropriate paper for watercolors, and inclusion in the five-volume Goodrich/Gerdts catalogue.
Types of Winslow Homer works and their values
Homer's market spans accessible period prints to museum-caliber paintings. Understanding originals vs prints is essential since most Homer items in private hands are Harper's Weekly engravings, not unique works.
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Harper's Weekly wood engravings
The most common Homer items are wood engravings from Harper's Weekly (1857–1876). These are authentic period prints Homer designed, but they were mass-produced in thousands of copies. Civil War scenes, children at play, and coastal subjects are popular. Values range from $200–$2,000 depending on subject and condition.
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Late reproductions and posters
Museum reproductions of Homer's famous watercolors and oils are common. These are decorative items with no significant value regardless of framing quality. Look for modern paper, photomechanical dot patterns, or museum shop labels to identify reproductions.
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Original etchings
Homer made only 7–10 etchings total between 1887–1889, then abandoned the medium. Authentic documented impressions are genuinely rare—subjects include "Saved," "Perils of the Sea," and "Mending the Tears." Fine impressions sell for $5,000–$30,000; later restrikes exist and trade lower.
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Drawings and sketches
Working drawings, charcoal studies, and preparatory sketches appear occasionally. These require catalogue verification and provenance research. Values range from $20,000–$200,000 depending on finish, subject, and documentation.
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Watercolors
Homer's watercolors are considered among the finest in American art history. Caribbean scenes (Bahamas, Cuba, Florida), Adirondack hunting and fishing subjects, and Maine coastal views are most prized. Smaller or less significant works trade at $50,000–$500,000; major watercolors reach $500,000–$5 million.
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Oil paintings
Original Homer oils are extremely rare in private hands—most are in museum collections. Marine subjects showing rescue scenes, stormy seas, or the Maine coast command the highest prices. When major oils appear at auction, they can sell for $5 million–$30+ million. Any potential Homer oil requires extensive vetting.
Homer authentication: what you need to know
There is no official Homer foundation or estate that provides authentication. Verification relies on scholarly resources and expert examination.
- Goodrich/Gerdts catalogue raisonné: The five-volume Record of Works by Winslow Homer (Lloyd Goodrich, edited by Abigail Booth Gerdts, 2005–2014) catalogues approximately 2,000 oils, watercolors, drawings, and etchings—inclusion is essential for major works
- No single authentication body: Without an official foundation, authentication depends on American art scholars, the catalogue raisonné, and provenance research through auction records and exhibition histories
- Signature characteristics: Homer signed "Homer" in cursive, typically lower right; early works show more elaborate flourishes while later signatures are simpler and more refined
- Period materials: Authentic watercolors show specific 19th-century paper characteristics; experts can identify appropriate materials and techniques for each period
- Harper's Weekly vs original art: Many people confuse period wood engravings with unique works—engravings are authentic Homer designs but were mass-produced, not one-of-a-kind creations
For a preliminary assessment, upload front, back, and signature close-up photos.
Get Free ValuationFAQ: Winslow Homer questions answered
There is no official Homer foundation or estate that provides authentication. Verification relies on inclusion in the five-volume Record of Works by Winslow Homer (Goodrich/Gerdts, 2005–2014), which catalogues approximately 2,000 works. American art specialists can examine technique, materials, and provenance against documented examples.
Harper's Weekly wood engravings are period prints Homer designed between 1857–1876, published in thousands of copies. They're authentic Homer works but not unique art. Original watercolors and oils are one-of-a-kind creations worth vastly more—engravings typically sell for $200–$2,000 while original paintings can reach millions. Learn more about identifying originals vs prints.
Homer made only 7–10 etchings total, all created between 1887–1889. He was self-taught in the medium and abandoned it after poor commercial reception. These genuine etchings are rare—documented impressions can sell for $5,000–$30,000 depending on the image and condition.
Homer's original Civil War-era paintings and drawings are historically significant and valuable when they appear at auction. However, most Civil War imagery people encounter are Harper's Weekly wood engravings, which are collectible but modest in value ($300–$1,500) compared to his later marine watercolors.
Maine seascapes with dramatic weather, Caribbean watercolors, and rescue scenes command the highest prices. Major marine oils can exceed $10 million, while prime watercolors of Bahamas or Adirondack subjects regularly sell for $500,000–$5 million. Early genre scenes and smaller sketches trade lower.
Christie's and Sotheby's American Art departments handle major Homer sales for authenticated works. Harper's Weekly engravings can sell through regional auctions, print dealers, or online platforms. For any potential original, start with a free valuation to confirm what you have before choosing a sales venue.
How to sell Winslow Homer artwork
Whether you have a Harper's Weekly engraving or a potential original, here's the process for selling your Homer.
Identify what you have
Upload photos so we can determine if you have a Harper's Weekly engraving, reproduction, etching, or potential original work. Each has very different values and sales approaches—engravings worth hundreds vs watercolors worth hundreds of thousands.
Verify catalogue status (for originals)
For any potential original painting, watercolor, or drawing, the next step is checking the Goodrich/Gerdts catalogue raisonné and gathering provenance documentation. We help you navigate this research process.
Choose the right venue
Authenticated originals belong at Christie's or Sotheby's American Art sales. Etchings suit specialist print dealers. Harper's Weekly engravings sell well through regional auctions or online platforms. We match your piece to the appropriate channel.
Price accurately and sell
We provide comparable sales data so you can price competitively. Well-documented Homer works with clear provenance sell efficiently—inherited pieces with family history often have stronger stories for buyers.
Get your free Winslow Homer valuation
Upload photos of your Homer artwork—whether it's a Harper's Weekly engraving, a potential etching, or what might be an original watercolor. You'll receive a research-backed assessment with guidance on authenticity, value, and selling options.