How much is a Maynard Dixon painting worth?

It depends on the painting. Dixon's work ranges from pen-and-ink illustrations and small oil sketches on board to large finished canvases and murals, and their values differ widely. The gallery can give an informed view once it has seen photographs and the dimensions.

Can Steven Stern Fine Arts appraise my Dixon?

The gallery offers confidential evaluations and lists fine art appraisals among its services. Let us know whether you need a valuation to sell, or a formal appraisal for insurance, estate or donation purposes.

My painting is small and on board. Is it still of interest?

Yes. Dixon painted many smaller works on board, and the gallery has sold several. Subject, date and quality matter as much as size.

Is it a painting or a print?

Dixon's images have been widely reproduced, and he also made illustrations for print. Photograph the surface at an angle and look closely; we can help you tell the difference.

Valuation guide

Maynard Dixon painting value: what matters

Dixon worked for more than fifty years, as an illustrator, muralist and painter, so values for his work vary widely. These are the questions a specialist asks when looking at a Dixon. We don't publish price lists, because a figure without the painting in front of us would be a guess.

Subject

Dixon is best known for his landscapes of the desert West (mesas, buttes, desert ranges and big cloud-filled skies) and for his Native American, cowboy and figure subjects. The gallery's past sales include examples of both, from a 1907 Navajo scout to Arizona and Nevada landscapes of the 1920s through the 1940s.

Medium and scale

Oils on canvas generally rank above oils on board, and finished paintings above sketches, though Dixon's smaller boards, watercolors and drawings have their own collectors. Measure the image area, and note the support (canvas, board, paper).

Date and place

Dixon's style changed a great deal over his career: from illustration in the early 1900s, through Impressionist-influenced work in the 1910s, to the simplified, strongly designed landscapes of the 1920s onward. A date or a place name on the painting helps place it in his career.

Condition

Look for flaking, tears, old repairs or relining, heavy retouching, and darkened varnish. Works on paper can fade or stain if they have hung in sunlight or been framed against acidic board. Leave cleaning and repair to a conservator, and only after you have had advice.

Labels and provenance

Exhibition stickers, dealer labels, Dixon's own inscriptions and family letters all help trace a painting. Gather any paperwork and photograph the entire back.

Authenticity

Dixon's popularity means reproductions, copies and misattributions turn up. Signature, technique, materials and documented history all play a part. A dealer who regularly handles Western American and California paintings can tell you quickly whether a work deserves closer study.

Appraisal and next steps

Steven Stern Fine Arts evaluates each painting individually on authorship, period, subject, condition, provenance, exhibition history, literature and importance. To begin, send photos through the seller inquiry or call (310) 570-5679. You can also compare with Dixon works the gallery has sold.

Questions owners ask

How much is a Maynard Dixon painting worth?: It depends on the painting. Dixon's work ranges from pen-and-ink illustrations and small oil sketches on board to large finished canvases and murals, and their values differ widely. The gallery can give an informed view once it has seen photographs and the dimensions.
Can Steven Stern Fine Arts appraise my Dixon?: The gallery offers confidential evaluations and lists fine art appraisals among its services. Let us know whether you need a valuation to sell, or a formal appraisal for insurance, estate or donation purposes.
My painting is small and on board. Is it still of interest?: Yes. Dixon painted many smaller works on board, and the gallery has sold several. Subject, date and quality matter as much as size.
Is it a painting or a print?: Dixon's images have been widely reproduced, and he also made illustrations for print. Photograph the surface at an angle and look closely; we can help you tell the difference.