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John Olsen Drawings: Auction Prices

Australian · 1928–2023

ArtSell has recorded 22 auction results for John Olsen drawings between 2009 and 2025, of which 19 sold (86% sell-through). Prices realised range from $233 to $14,018, with a median of $1,896 across 19 priced sales (USD at the sale-date rate). The highest recorded price is $14,018 for “Brett Whiteley Pondering on Erotica 1979” at Menzies in 2017.

Record: Brett Whiteley Pondering on Erotica 1979 — $14,018Sign up free to see

22auction results2009–2025years recorded86%sold$1.9kSign up free to seemedian price$14kSign up free to seehighest

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  1. John Olsen, Arriving at the Lily Pond, 1977, Pen & Ink
    Arriving at the Lily Pond, 1977
    Drawing
    19.5x29cm
    Davidson Auctions · · Lot 41
    A$1,500≈ $983≈ £740≈ €850HammerSign up free to seeEst. A$1,500–2,500View at Davidson Auctions ↗
  2. John Olsen, Arriving at the Lily Pond, 1977, Pen & Ink
    Arriving at the Lily Pond, 1977
    Drawing
    19.5x29cm
    Davidson Auctions · · Lot 26
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$2,000–4,000View at Davidson Auctions ↗
  3. John Olsen, Paseo on Sunday, 1966, Wax Crayon on Paper
    Paseo on Sunday, 1966
    Drawing · Paper
    49.5x64.5cm
    Davidson Auctions · · Lot 29
    A$4,500≈ $2,885≈ £2,259≈ €2,726HammerSign up free to seeEst. A$5,000–8,000View at Davidson Auctions ↗
  4. John Olsen, Chef Dreaming of a Menu, Pen & Ink
    Chef Dreaming of a Menu
    Drawing
    19x10cm
    Davidson Auctions · · Lot 7
    A$475≈ $318≈ £246≈ €292HammerSign up free to seeEst. A$500–800View at Davidson Auctions ↗
  5. John Olsen, Tree Frog, 1971, Ink & Colour on Paper
    Tree Frog, 1971
    Drawing · Paper
    50x46cm
    Davidson Auctions · · Lot 94
    A$2,000≈ $1,328≈ £1,034≈ €1,214HammerSign up free to seeEst. A$700–1,200View at Davidson Auctions ↗
  6. John Olsen, Night Jar 1974, 1974, ink and wash on paper
    Night Jar 1974, 1974
    Drawing · Paper
    47.0 x 38.0 cm; 72.5 x 61.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 62
    A$8,591≈ $5,690≈ £4,482≈ €5,180Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$4,000–6,000View at Menzies ↗
  7. John Olsen, Plate with Squid and Fish, 2020, Charcoal
    Plate with Squid and Fish, 2020
    Drawing
    41x52cm
    Davidson Auctions · · Lot 64
    A$2,500≈ $1,598≈ £1,252≈ €1,465HammerSign up free to seeEst. A$1,500–2,500View at Davidson Auctions ↗
  8. John Olsen, Frog at Jone[s] the Grocer, c.1997/8, Ink on Paper
    Frog at Jone[s] the Grocer, c.1997/8
    Drawing · Paper
    26.5x19.5cm
    Davidson Auctions · · Lot 116
    A$2,750≈ $1,896≈ £1,605≈ €1,896HammerSign up free to seeEst. A$1,200–2,000View at Davidson Auctions ↗
  9. John Olsen, Waterfall, 2002, With pencil dedication: "Lucio on a special day."
    Waterfall, 2002
    Drawing
    20x9cm (plate) 37.5x26.5cm (sheet)
    Davidson Auctions · · Lot 35
    A$550≈ $373≈ £306≈ €357HammerSign up free to seeEst. A$400–700View at Davidson Auctions ↗
  10. John Olsen, The Men at Rothburys, Murray Tyrrell thinking about wine, Ink, Wine? & W/Clr
    The Men at Rothburys, Murray Tyrrell thinking about wine
    Drawing
    25.5x35cm
    Davidson Auctions · · Lot 1064
    A$2,250≈ $1,745≈ £1,239≈ €1,439HammerSign up free to seeEst. A$1,000–3,000View at Davidson Auctions ↗
  11. John Olsen, Font Study for a Menu Cover - Unsigned, W/Clr & Pencil
    Font Study for a Menu Cover - Unsigned
    Drawing
    14x24.5cm
    Davidson Auctions · · Lot 1051
    A$300≈ $233≈ £165≈ €192HammerSign up free to seeEst. A$200–400View at Davidson Auctions ↗
  12. John Olsen, Untitled '72, ink on paper
    Untitled '72
    Drawing · Paper
    36 x 54cm
    Leonard Joel · · Lot 83
    A$2,600≈ $1,814≈ £1,432≈ €1,613Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$2,500–3,500View at Leonard Joel ↗
  13. John Olsen, Depressed Old Monkey, crayon and ink on paper
    Depressed Old Monkey
    Drawing · Paper
    37.5 x 50.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 99
    A$10,432≈ $7,894≈ £5,862≈ €6,662Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$4,000–6,000View at Menzies ↗
  14. John Olsen, Brett Whiteley Pondering on Erotica 1979, 1979, ink on paper
    Brett Whiteley Pondering on Erotica 1979, 1979
    Drawing · Paper
    75.5 x 56.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 124
    A$19,023≈ $14,018≈ £10,906≈ €12,908Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$4,000–6,000View at Menzies ↗
  15. John Olsen, Untitled (Camel) 2000, 2000, ink and crayon on paper
    Untitled (Camel) 2000, 2000
    Drawing · Paper
    44.0 x 42.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 76
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$5,000–7,000View at Menzies ↗
  16. John Olsen, Mundoo, ink on paper
    Mundoo
    Drawing · Paper
    22.5 x 29cm (each)
    Leonard Joel · · Lot 38
    A$3,500≈ $2,494≈ £1,619≈ €2,203Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$3,500–4,500View at Leonard Joel ↗
  17. John Olsen, Royal Spoonbill 1973, 1973, ink on paper
    Royal Spoonbill 1973, 1973
    Drawing · Paper
    34.0 x 26.5 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 240
    A$4,418≈ $3,465≈ £2,328≈ €3,158Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$2,000–3,000View at Menzies ↗
  18. John Olsen, Beckett Passing By 1992, 1992, open bite, sugar lift, crayon and a la poupee
    Beckett Passing By 1992, 1992
    Drawing · ed. 11/15
    40.5 x 44.0 cm (irregular)
    Menzies · · Lot 477
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$1,500–2,000View at Menzies ↗
  19. John Olsen, Studio Cat 2003, 2003, ink and crayon on paper
    Studio Cat 2003, 2003
    Drawing · Paper
    28.5 x 40.5 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 393
    A$4,173≈ $3,701≈ £2,258≈ €2,886Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$3,000–5,000View at Menzies ↗
  20. John Olsen, I Was a ...... For the F.B.I 1968, 1968, ink on paper
    I Was a ...... For the F.B.I 1968, 1968
    Drawing · Paper
    44.5 x 36 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 214
    A$1,220≈ $1,145≈ £676≈ €853Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$500–800View at Smith & Singer ↗
  21. John Olsen, Indah, pencil and coloured pencil on paper
    Indah
    Drawing · Paper
    34.5 x 27.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 11
    A$4,800≈ $4,320≈ £2,639≈ €2,967Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$3,500–5,000View at Menzies ↗
  22. John Olsen, Portuguese Man O'War 1966, 1966, crayon on paper
    Portuguese Man O'War 1966, 1966
    Drawing · Paper
    49.0 x 63.5 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 7
    A$9,000≈ $7,188≈ £4,352≈ €5,124Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$12,000–16,000View at Menzies ↗

Other media by John Olsen

PaintingsWorks on PaperPrintsPhotographsSculptureOil PaintingsAcrylic PaintingsMixed MediaWatercolorsGouachesPastelsEtchingsLithographs

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