Helen (1891) Forbes Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Helen (1891) Forbes Art Value Price Guide

Jun. 19, 2026
Watercolor, Helen Forbes
Est: $400 - $600
Helen Forbes (American, 1891–1945), Untitled (Still Life), watercolor, signed lower right, sight: 11.75"h x 15.75"w, overall (with frame): 22"h x 26"w
Clars Auctions
Mar. 23, 2025
Helen Katharine Forbes (1891-1945) Watercolor & Pencil Drawing of Church in Sonora, Mexico c1930s
Est: $300 - $400
Helen Katharine Forbes (1891-1945) Watercolor & Pencil Drawing of Church in Sonora, Mexico c1930s. Forbes was an active WPA artist in San Francisco and southern California. Signed on reverse. Tim Holton custom oak frame with UV filtered museum glass. 10"h x 14"w. Frame 18"h x 21.5"w. FREE NATIONWIDE SHIPPING for all of your purchases at our Two Day Auction within the lower 48 states. No matter whether you buy one small piece or a large piece of furniture, all of your SHIPPING WILL BE FREE If you purchase 15 pieces of furniture, your shipping will still be free within the lower 48 states. We box and ship ourselves, to keep shipping costs low. We do not use a packaging service, unless the customer prefers us to use them. We can ship either USPS or FedEx Ground. We deliver larger pieces ourselves on the west coast and we make a loop around the US within approximately 60 days after the auction. No matter where you live in the lower 48 states, we look forward to personally meeting you and delivering larger pieces directly to your house.
California Historical Design, Inc
Jan. 28, 2025
Helen Forbes (1891-1945), Girl in a polka dot dress
Est: $500 - $700
Helen Forbes (1891-1945) Girl in a polka dot dress Oil on canvas Signed lower left: Helen Forbes
John Moran Auctioneers
Nov. 12, 2024
Helen Forbes (1891-1945), "Village with Mountain," circa 1926
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
Helen Forbes (1891-1945) "Village with Mountain," circa 1926 Oil on canvas Signed lower right: Helen Forbes; titled on the frame plaque
John Moran Auctioneers
May. 17, 2024
Helen Forbes (1891-1945) - Untitled Watercolor
Est: $150 - $350
Helen Forbes (1891-1945) - Untitled Watercolor. 15" x 19" framed, 10" x 14" unframed. Signed lower right.
Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery & Auction
Mar. 23, 2024
Helen Katharine Forbes (1891-1945) Watercolor & Pencil Drawing of Church in Sonora, Mexico c1930s
Est: $600 - $800
Helen Katharine Forbes (1891-1945) Watercolor & Pencil Drawing of Church in Sonora, Mexico c1930s. Forbes was an active WPA artist in San Francisco and southern California. Unsigned. Tim Holton custom oak frame with UV filtered museum glass. 10"h x 14"w. Frame 18"h x 21.5"w. Spend $7500 or more at our two day auction and all of your SHIPPING IS FREE within the lower 48 states. SHIPPING We box and ship ourselves, to keep shipping costs low. We do not use a packaging service, unless the customer prefers us to use them. We can ship either USPS or Fed Ex Ground. We deliver most larger pieces ourselves on the west coast and we make a loop around the US within approximately 60 days after the auction. No matter where you live in the lower 48 states, we look forward to personally meeting you and delivering larger pieces directly to your house. Most larger pieces can be hand delivered for $500-$600 almost anywhere in the lower 48 states. For estimated shipping times of larger pieces, please call or email us before you bid.
California Historical Design, Inc
Jul. 24, 2022
Helen Katharine Forbes (1891-1945) American, O/C
Est: $800 - $1,600
Helen Katharine Forbes (1891-1945) California, O/C. Framed oil on canvas titled "Kirby Cove". Helen Forbes was active/lived in California. She is known for Etching, murals and painting. Forbes studied at the California School of Fine Art under Frank Van Sloun where she was awarded a lifetime scholarship in 1914. Forbes attended Mark Hopkins Art Institute before traveling Guanajuato City, Mexico looking for artistic inspiration. She was also president and co-founder of the San Francisco Society of Women Artists. This piece was exhibited in the San Francisco Museum of Art. Forbes died in San Francisco on May 27, 1945. Painting in oil, watercolor, and tempera, her subjects included landscapes of Mexico and the Sierra, stark desert scenes of Death Valley as well as still life's and portraits. Overall Size: 19 x 23 in. Sight Size: 15 1/2 x 19 1/2 in.
Sarasota Estate Auction
Apr. 17, 2021
Painting, Helen Katherine Forbes
Est: $200 - $400
Helen Katherine Forbes (American, 1891-1945), Portrait of a Young Boy, oil on panel, signed lower left, museum exhibition label (San Francisco Museum of Art, "Helen Forbes - 1946") affixed verso, sight: 12.25"h x 15.5"w, overall (with frame): 16.5"h x 19.5"w. Provenance: Purchased from Artist's Estate
Clars Auctions
Mar. 20, 2021
Painting, Helen Katherine Forbes
Est: $300 - $500
Helen Katherine Forbes (American, 1891-1945), Portrait of a Young Boy, oil on panel, signed lower left, museum exhibition label (San Francisco Museum of Art, "Helen Forbes - 1946") affixed verso, sight: 12.25"h x 15.5"w, overall (with frame): 16.5"h x 19.5"w. Provenance: Purchased from Artist's Estate
Clars Auctions
Feb. 21, 2021
Painting, Helen Katherine Forbes
Est: $600 - $900
Helen Katherine Forbes (American, 1891-1945) Portrait of a Young Boy, oil on panel, signed lower left, museum exhibition label (San Francisco Museum of Art, "Helen Forbes - 1946") affixed verso, sight: 12.25"h x 15.5"w, overall (with frame): 16.5"h x 19.5"w. Provenance: Purchased from Artist''s Estate
Clars Auctions
Jan. 16, 2021
Watercolor, Helen Katharine Forbes
Est: $400 - $600
Helen Katharine Forbes (American, 1891-1945), Garden Lilies, 1935, watercolor on paper, signed and dated lower left, signed verso, sight: 11"h x 14"w, overall (with frame): 28"h x 23.25"w
Clars Auctions
Nov. 19, 2020
HELEN K. FORBES (1891 - 1945): SAN FRANCISCO BAY-ALCATRAZ
Est: $500 - $700
watercolor on paper signed lower right 9 3/4 x 13 1/2 inches sight; 18 1/2 x 21 3/4 inches fame
Abell Auction
Sep. 13, 2020
Helen Forbes (1891-1945, American)
Est: $800 - $1,600
This is a framed oil on canvas titled "Kirby Cove" by Helen Forbes (1891-1945). Forbes attended Mark Hopkins Art Institute before traveling Guanajuato City, Mexico looking for artistic inspiration. She was also president and co-founder of the San Francisco Society of Women Artists. This piece was exhibited in the San Francisco Museum of Art. Sight: 15 1/2 x 19 1/2 in. Overall: 19 x 23 in. Please note that all sales are final. No refunds will be given under any circumstances.
Sarasota Estate Auction
Dec. 14, 2019
Helen Katherine Forbes Watercolor Sonora Mexico c1930s
Est: $750 - $950
Helen Katharine Forbes (1891-1945) watercolor and pencil drawing of Church in Sonora, Mexico c1930s. Forbes was an active WPA artist in San Francisco and southern California. Signed on reverse. Tim Holton custom oak frame with UV filtered museum glass. 10"h x 14"w. Frame 18"h x 21.5"w. Spend $5000 or more at this auction and all of your SHIPPING IS FREE within the lower 48 states. SHIPPING We box and ship ourselves, to keep shipping costs low. We do not use a packaging service, unless the customer prefers us to use them. We can ship either USPS or Fed Ex Ground. Larger piece are shipped via Steve Auger Shipping. He travels coast to coast every month delivering antiques and fine furniture blanket wrap coast to coast. Most larger pieces can be hand delivered for $300 almost anywhere in the lower 48 states. For estimated shipping times of larger pieces, please call or email us before you bid.
California Historical Design, Inc
Nov. 03, 2019
Helen Katharine Forbes, (1891-1945 San Francisco, CA), Mountain landscape, Oil on canvas laid to board, 19.75" H x 24" W
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
Helen Katharine Forbes (1891-1945 San Francisco, CA) Mountain landscape Oil on canvas laid to board Signed lower right: Helen Forbes 19.75" H x 24" W
John Moran Auctioneers
Jun. 08, 2019
Helen Katherine Forbes Watercolor Sonora Mexico c1930s
Est: $1,200 - $1,500
Helen Katharine Forbes (1891-1945) watercolor and pencil drawing of Church in Sonora, Mexico c1930s.ÃÂ Forbes was an active WPA artist in San Francisco and southern California.ÃÂ Signed on reverse.ÃÂ Tim Holton custom oak frame with UV filtered museum glass.ÃÂ 10"h x 14"w.ÃÂ Frame 18"h x 21.5"w Spend $5000 or more at this auction and all of your SHIPPING IS FREE within the lower 48 states. SHIPPING We box and ship ourselves, to keep shipping costs low. We do not use a packaging service, unless the customer prefers us to use them. We can ship either USPS or Fed Ex Ground. Larger piece are shipped via Steve Auger Shipping. He travels coast to coast every month delivering antiques and fine furniture blanket wrap coast to coast. Most larger pieces can be hand delivered for $300 almost anywhere in the lower 48 states. For estimated shipping times of larger pieces, please call or email us before you bid.
California Historical Design, Inc
Dec. 16, 2017
Painting, Helen Forbes
Est: $200 - $400
Helen Katharine Forbes (American, 1891-1945), "Sketch (Horsemen with Trumpets)," oil on canvas, unsigned, museum label (Oakland Art Museum, Oakland, CA) affixed verso, overall (with frame): 11"h x 38.25"w
Clars Auctions
Nov. 19, 2017
Painting, Helen Forbes
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
Helen Forbes (American, 1891-1945), "Tropical Splendor Hawaii," 1934, oil on canvas, signed and dated lower center right, canvas: 39.5"h x 19.5"w, overall (with frame): 44.5"h x 24"w
Clars Auctions
Oct. 22, 2017
Helen Katharine Forbes (1891-1945)
Est: $300 - $500
Artist: Helen Forbes Title: Hillside, North Beach Signature: Signed bottom left Size: Artwork: 10 x 14 Frame: 19 1/4 x 22 3/4 Medium: Watercolor on paper
Turner Auctions + Appraisals
Aug. 12, 2017
Watercolor, Helen Forbes
Est: $300 - $500
Helen Forbes (American, 1891-1945), Clearing Skies, watercolor, signed lower right, overall (with frame): 17.5"h x 21.75"w
Clars Auctions
Jun. 18, 2017
Painting, Helen Forbes
Est: $800 - $1,200
Helen Forbes (1891-1945); "La Parroquila; The Basilica Nuestra Senoa, Quanajuato, Mexico," oil on canvas, signed lower right, sight: 33"h x 39"w, overall (with frame): 39"h x 45"w
Clars Auctions
Mar. 19, 2017
Helen Forbes (American, 1891-1945) Miner's Cabin, 1932 Watercolor on paper laid
Est: $300 - $500
Helen Forbes (American, 1891-1945) Miner's Cabin, 1932 Watercolor on paper laid on board 9 x 11-3/4 inches (22.9 x 29.8 cm) (sheet) Signed and dated lower left: Helen Forbes / '32 PROVENANCE: San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, California. HID04901242017
Heritage Auctions
Jan. 25, 2015
Helen Forbes (American, 1891-1945)
Est: $400 - $700
Helen Forbes (American, 1891-1945), "Banana Foliage", 1934, oil on canvas, signed and inscribed lower center "Helen Forbes, Hawaii 34", 40" x 20". Framed.
New Orleans Auction Galleries
Oct. 12, 2014
Helen Forbes (American, 1891-1945)
Est: $700 - $1,000
Helen Forbes (American, 1891-1945), "Banana Foliage", 1934, oil on canvas, signed and inscribed lower center "Helen Forbes, Hawaii 34", 40" x 20". Framed.
New Orleans Auction Galleries
May. 17, 2014
Painting, Helen Katharine Forbes
Est: $200 - $400
Helen Katharine Forbes (American, 1891-1945), Untitled (Portrait of a Woman), oil on board, unsigned, name inscribed verso, overall (with frame): 12''h x 10''w. Provenance: From the estate of Jose Ramon Lerma.
Clars Auctions
Feb. 16, 2013
Watercolors, Helen Forbes, California Coast
Est: $100 - $200
(Lot of 2) Unframed watercolors, California Coast and Family of Deer (doublesided with Half-Dome image verso), by Helen Forbes (Californian, 1891-1945), each pencil signed lower right, one bears San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Society of Women Artists exhibition label verso, largest paper: 12"h x 16"w
Clars Auctions
Jan. 13, 2013
Watercolors, Helen Forbes, California Coast
Est: $400 - $600
(Lot of 2) Unframed watercolors, California Coast and Family of Deer (doublesided with Half-Dome image verso), by Helen Forbes (Californian, 1891-1945), each pencil signed lower right, one bears San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Society of Women Artists exhibition label verso, largest paper: 12"h x 16"w
Clars Auctions
Apr. 19, 2009
Helen Forbes (1891-1945) Desert flower, 1931; A woman holding A rattlesnake (a pair) each 9 3/4 x 13 3/4in
Est: $2,500 - $3,500
Desert flower, 1931; A woman holding A rattlesnake (a pair) first signed 'Helen Forbes' (lower left) and dated '17 April 31' on the reverse; second dated '27 April' on the reverse first watercolor and pencil on paper; second watercolor and charcoal on paper each 9 3/4 x 13 3/4in
Bonhams
Jun. 08, 2004
Forbes Church in Mexico Oil Painting
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
Helen Forbes 1891-1945 Iglesia, San Francisco, Mexico signed l/l: Helen Forbes oil on canvas 24 1/4 x 30 1/4 inches ( 61.6 x 76.8 cm )
Bonhams
Mar. 07, 2004
Helen Forbes
Est: $300 - $500
Helen Forbes (American, 20th century), "Portrait of a Man", c. 1940; oil/board, 15.5" x 12", inscribed on verso.
Toomey & Co. Auctioneers