Until a few days ago, Bob Ross’s auction record was $114,800. Now, following a sale at Bonhams Los Angeles on November 11th, the record price paid for one of his paintings at auction is more than double that: $318,000. Winter’s Peace (1993) was one of three original paintings by the artist at the sale, which marked the first phase of a larger initiative to auction 30 works by the television painter to support American Public Television. The three paintings collectively brought in $662,000. All prices include fees.
The three canvases—Cliffside (1990), Home in the Valley (1993), and Winter’s Peace (1993)—were included in a broader auction of California and Western art. All three works surpassed their pre-sale estimates. The record-breaking work, Winter’s Peace, led at $318,000, followed by Home in the Valley, which sold for $229,100, and Cliffside, which achieved $114,800. The estimates for these works ranged from $25,000 to $50,000.
After growing up in Florida, Ross joined the military and rose through the ranks to drill sergeant, contrary to his calming public demeanor that made him a national treasure. Following his military career, he pursued painting, starring in the instructional public television show, “The Joy of Painting.” He hosted the series for 11 seasons, from 1983 to 1994, teaching viewers his “wet-on-wet” painting technique. Mistakes, for Ross, were considered “happy accidents.”
According to Bonhams, the two 1993 paintings were created on camera for “The Joy of Painting.” Cliffside was produced for the 20th volume of Ross’s instructional book series, which offered step-by-step guidance for amateur painters.
The remaining 27 paintings from the Ross estate are scheduled to be offered across three Bonhams sales in 2026, taking place in Los Angeles, Boston, and New York. Proceeds from each sale will benefit American Public Television, the non-profit syndicator that distributes “The Joy of Painting” and other public programs.
These sales follow a surge of interest in the painter’s oeuvre. Lake Below Snow-Capped Peaks and Cloudy Sky (ca. 1990–91) and Lake Below Snow-Covered Mountains and Clear Sky (ca. 1990–91) brought in $114,800 (setting his previous auction record) and $95,750, respectively, in August at Bonhams, far outpacing expectations. According to the New York Times, this prompted Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross, Inc., to propose selling these 30 estate-owned paintings.
