Robert Sudlow Paintings Wanted for Upcoming Art Auctions

Why Robert Sudlow’s Kansas Landscapes Are So Collectible:

Robert Sudlow is widely celebrated for his poetic depictions of the Kansas landscape. A lifelong Kansas resident and a professor of painting at the University of Kansas, Sudlow spent decades capturing the quiet beauty of the Flint Hills, the Wakarusa River, and the rolling countryside in all seasons. His plein air technique and sensitive use of color make his work instantly recognizable and deeply rooted in place.

Collectors and museums alike have grown increasingly interested in his work and his pieces are included in the permanent collections of the Nelson Atkins, Spencer, and the Kemper art museums. As the market for 20th-century regional American painters has expanded, Sudlow’s place as a significant Kansas artist has become more widely acknowledged. His paintings, especially those featuring the Flint Hills or river valleys, have developed a loyal following both locally and nationally.

About Robert Sudlow: A Kansas Regionalist with National Appeal

Born in Holton, Kansas in 1920, Robert Sudlow was a veteran of World War II and later earned his MFA from the California College of the Arts. He returned to Kansas where he taught painting at the University of Kansas for nearly 40 years. Throughout his career, Sudlow exhibited nationally but always remained focused on Kansas landscapes, often painting outdoors, directly immersed in the environment.

Sudlow was named the first Kansas Master Artist by the Kansas Arts Commission in 1992. His legacy lives on not only through his paintings, but through the generations of artists he mentored and inspired.

What Robert Sudlow Paintings Sell for at Auction

Most Sudlow paintings sold at auction sell in the $2,000 – $5,000 range. Exceptional examples, especially his really large sought after canvases, can sell over $10,000. Smaller works or subject matter of less interest to collectors generally sells at auction between $1,000 – $2,000. At Circle Auction, we handle Robert Sudlow paintings regularly and hold the auction record for the top four highest-selling Sudlow paintings:

• Storm Past Hessdale, 1987, Oil on canvas, 31″ x 60″ – Sold for $11,500
• Stubb’s Road #4, 1987, Oil on canvas, 40″ x 50″ – Sold for $11,000
• Untitled (Flint Hills Panorama), 1978, Oil on canvas, 27″ x 72″ – Sold for $8,925
• Cut Wheat, Maple Hill, 1987, Oil on canvas, 26″ x 40″ – Sold for $8,250

Other recent Circle Auction results include:

• Thawing Farm, 1985 – Sold for $4,000
• Gray Landscape with Yellow Sign, 1973 – Sold for $3,900
• River in Spring, 1976 – Sold for $3,700
• Snow Along the Wakarusa, 1991 – Sold for $3,700
• Spring Rain, 1987 – Sold for $3,100
• Bouquet Creek #2, 1977 – Sold for $3,200
• Alder Tree and Stream at Noon, 1974 – Sold for $3,500
• November Woods, 1973 – Sold for $2,800
• Burt’s Pond, Late Light, 2001 – Sold for $2,500

Even smaller or later works, such as Sketch of a Snowy Wood or November Garden – Dusk, continue to generate interest from collectors with prices ranging from $950 to $1,200.

Circle Auction specializes in selling artwork by Kansas and regional American artists, with a focus on connecting works like Sudlow’s with collectors who appreciate and value them. If you own a Robert Sudlow painting and are considering selling, our team makes the process simple and seller-friendly.

• Free Auction Evaluation: We offer complimentary evaluations to determine the estimated value and marketability of your artwork.

• No Upfront Costs: There are no fees unless your item sells.

• Specialist Exposure: We regularly promote Sudlow paintings through targeted marketing to collectors familiar with his work.

• Kansas-Based Expertise: As a Kansas City-based auction house, we bring local knowledge and a strong collector base for Kansas and Midwestern artists.

Submit Your Robert Sudlow Artwork for a Free Auction Evaluation

If you own a painting by Robert Sudlow and are curious about its value, we invite you to reach out for a free, no-obligation evaluation. Our specialists are familiar with the nuances of his work and can help determine it’s auction potential.

Email our team at info@circle-auction.com, call us at 913-403-0032, or follow the evaluation link below. Whether your painting was inherited, purchased directly from the artist, or discovered tucked away in a collection, we would love to learn more about it.

As interest in 20th-century regional artists continues to rise, Robert Sudlow’s place in art history becomes even more secure. At Circle Auction, we’re honored to help preserve and share that legacy through each work we handle.

Get a Free Estimate for Your Robert Sudlow Painting