Public television is worth $1.3 million to Bonhams: painter Bob Ross takes it home

Do you remember Bob Ross (Daytona Beach, 1942 - Orlando, 1995)? The U.S. painter and television personality known for the TV program The Joy of Painting, broadcast in the United States between 1983 and 1994, in which he taught audiences how to create bucolic landscapes in front of canvases and cameras. More than 30 years later, those same works born on live television continue to produce concrete effects, this time on the art market.

On January 27, in Massachusetts, the Bonhams Skinner auction house held the live sale Americana: Crafting a Nation: Art, History & Legacy, dedicated to the art and culture of the United States. The auction exceeded pre-auction expectations, closing with a combined total of $2.4 million (about 2.01 million euros) and marking a positive start to the year. The catalog included rare paintings, folk art, and works of historical significance, with notable results for artists such as John James Audubon, Edward Troye, and especially Bob Ross.

Leading the sale was Change of Seasons, painted by Ross in 1990 during an episode of The Joy of Painting, which sold for $787,900 (about 658,515 euros), more than thirteen times the maximum estimate. Ross completed the work live in Episode 11 of his 20th television series and took about 3-4 days to film the entire series, after which the paintings were returned to the Bob Ross Company. The ethereal landscape, described by the artist as “just a beautiful little painting,” has remained in safekeeping since 1990. The artist’s other two works also far exceeded their initial valuations: 1993’s Babbling Brook reached $279.900 dollars (about 233,700 euros), more than six times its highest estimate, while Valley View, also from 1990, sold for $203,700 (about 170,000 euros), more than four times its highest estimate. Overall, the second official offering of Bob Ross works sold on behalf of American Public Television totaled $1.27 million (about 1.06 million euros). The broadcaster announced that 100 percent of the net proceeds will go to support U.S. public television stations.

Other notable results included Trophy of American Game Birds by John James Audubon (Les Cayes, Santo Domingo, 1785 - New York, 1851), a rare oil painting by the ornithologist and one of the most influential artists of the American 19th century, which sold for $394,200 (about 329,000 euros). Edward Troye’s (1808-1974) The Dawson Boys (1808-1974) also rose sharply, exceeding its pre-sale estimate by more than three times, reaching $305,300 (about 255,000 euros), the second-highest price ever achieved for a work by the artist.

“I am deeply honored by today’s extraordinary results,” commented Joan Kowalski, President of Bob Ross Inc. about the results of Ross’s works. “Seeing Bob’s paintings resonate so strongly reminds me that his work continues to bring joy and meaning to people’s lives. I hope Bob’s work can provide meaningful support to broadcasters across the country. It is exactly what Bob would have wanted: to continue to inspire and motivate public television for generations to come.”

“The results we saw in last November’s auction demonstrated just how popular Ross’s market has become,” added Robin Starr, managing director of Bonhams Skinner. “Today’s offering takes that enthusiasm to the next level, with all three paintings attracting a large number of lively bids and achieving exceptional results. We are excited to build on this success throughout 2026 and are pleased to confirm that the next group of Bob Ross paintings will be offered in New York in April.”

Public television is worth $1.3 million to Bonhams: painter Bob Ross takes it home

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