Bob Ross Paintings Fetch Over $600,000 at Auction to Benefit Public Television
NEW YORK – Three paintings by beloved television artist Bob Ross sold for a combined $638,700 at a recent Bonhams auction, with proceeds earmarked to support public television stations facing financial challenges. The auction results demonstrate the enduring appeal of Ross and provide a critical funding source for stations nationwide.
“Home in the Valley,” painted during a 1993 episode of “The Joy of Painting,” led the sales with a final price of $229,100. “Cliffside” went for $114,800, and a third unnamed painting sold for $194,800, bringing the total well above pre-auction estimates that topped out around $50,000. The final prices include a buyer’s premium added by the auction house.
The auctions are part of an ongoing effort to bolster public broadcasting amid funding cuts. Congress recently eliminated $1.1 billion allocated to public broadcasting, impacting approximately 330 PBS and 246 NPR stations. The funds raised from the sale of Ross’s paintings will be pledged to stations that rely on content from American Public television to cover licensing fees.
“the stations have been the gateway for generations of viewers to discover not just Bob’s gentle teaching, but the transformative power of the arts,” said Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc., in a statement.
additional Ross paintings are slated for auction at Bonhams in Marlborough, Massachusetts, on January 27, and in New York and London in the coming months. Ross, who died in 1995 at age 52 from complications from cancer, hosted “The Joy of Painting” for 11 years, becoming a cultural icon known for his calming demeanor and encouraging messages about art and life. His show experienced a resurgence in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.