Terry Frost Value: Top Prices Paid at Auction

Red, Black, and White, Leeds (1955) marks a pivotal phase in Terry Frost's artistic journey, conceived during his time as an educator at Leeds University until 1957. This artwork serves as a visual interpretation of the Yorkshire landscape. During this period, Frost relied on vertical elements to convey the vastness of the landscape. The deliberate choice of a monochromatic palette, punctuated by vibrant red and orange tones, enhances the sense of geometric abstraction, aligning with Frost's later mature artistic style. This seamless fusion of form and colour generates a dynamic and multi-dimensional experience, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the captivating world crafted by the artist.

The groundbreaking sale of this artwork, achieving a price of £313,250 (fees included) at Sotheby's in November 2011, solidifies its position as the most expensive work ever sold by Terry Frost.

Red, Black and White (1957)serves as a product of international influences from Terry Frost's encounters with American painter, Sam Francis and French painter, Pierre Soulages. Drawing inspiration from these encounters, Frost combines elements from their respective styles to create a work of distinct character.

Soulages' influence is evident in the bold presence of thick black brushstrokes, which adds depth, texture and emotional intensity to the. Frost's engagement with Francis is reflected in the meticulously executed dripping techniques observed in the vertical elements of the artwork. These techniques not only add dynamic movement to the piece but also evoke a sense of fluidity and spontaneity.

Despite its smaller size, Red, Black and White captivates viewers with its skilful arrangement of vertical forms extending from the outermost edges. Through this deliberate composition, Frost succeeds in capturing a panoramic vista framed by the underlying structure of the landscape. It is within this abstracted framework that Frost's brilliance shines as he harmoniously merges diverse perceptions of the surroundings into a cohesive visual narrative.

In 2018, this artwork achieved substantial recognition at Sotheby's in June 2019, fetching an impressive £250,000 (fees included).

Terry Frost's Red, Black, and White (1958) stands out as the third highest-selling piece in his portfolio, showcasing the enduring allure of this series and its robust market demand. This artwork realised £239,400 (fees included) at Sotheby's London in June 2021, highlighting its market prominence. The painting retains Frost's signature monochromatic style, enriched by vibrant red and blue accents, creating a captivating abstract composition. Frost's skilful use of thick white crosshatching and vertical strands lends the artwork a remarkable three-dimensional quality, breathing life into its visual elements.

In Red, Black and White, Winter (1956), Terry Frost maintains his trademark color palette, but subtly introduces a hint of an alternate hue, a departure from his usual style. Inspired by the Yorkshire landscape, this deviation is thought to echo nature's varied tones. Intriguingly, a recurring pentagonal motif emerges across multiple paintings in this series, indicating Frost's deliberate artistic choice. It is suggested that Frost's transformative encounter with sunlight and its reflected colors influenced his creative decisions. This artwork achieved a price of £216,500 (fees included) at Sotheby's in December 2007.

Another piece from Terry Frost's Red, Black, and White series, known for its abstract colour scheme and vertical divisions, Red, Black, and White (1955-1956), was sold at Sotheby's in July 2007 for £204,000 (fees included), highlighting the enduring allure of these works.

Created in the early 1950s, Red and Black (1953) features a classic abstract style with a central block-based design. Unlike Terry Frost's later works focused on three-dimensional exploration, this piece integrates the central structure with a crescent curve near the upper edge. The artwork fetched £200,000 (fees included) at Christie's in January 2020, indicating its enduring value.

Coastal Figure, St Ives (1952-1953) captures the fusion of Cornish coastal hues and Terry Frost's evolving abstract style from his University of Leeds period. Acting as a preliminary study, it showcases Frost's shift toward large-scale compositions, marking a significant change in his artistry. Sold for £194,500 (fees included) at Sotheby's in December 2013, the artwork remains unseen in the secondary market since.

In this triptych, Terry Frost explores unconventional colours, blending reds, yellows, and blues to create a unique black shade. Inspired by the poem “Another Sonnet To Black Itself’’ by Edward, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, lines from the poem adorn the central canvas, emphasising Frost's fascination with the colour. The artwork, titled Sonnet To Black (1994), fetched £173,000 (fees included) at Sotheby’s in March 2015.

In the 1950s, Terry Frost created Yellow And Black Movement (1952), showcasing his mastery of pure colours. This vibrant artwork explores different shades of yellow by integrating black pigments. Inspired by the sun's energy, the painting exudes movement and dynamism with its curved, circular form and radiant rays. This piece stands among Frost's top ten highest-priced works, selling for £159,200 (fees included) at Sotheby's in December 2006.

Moon Quay (1950) captures the lively ambiance of St Ives' harbour through abstract representation. Terry Frost skilfully blends geometric elements and colour harmonies, crafting a visually captivating composition without relying on literal depictions. Instead of traditional imagery, Frost employs shapes like circles, semi-circles, and rectangles to evoke the essence of docks, waves, and boats along the coastline.

This artwork fetched an impressive price of £153,600 (fees included) at Christie's in November 2006.