John Olsen Gouaches: Auction Prices

Australian · 1928–2023

ArtSell has recorded 15 auction results for John Olsen gouaches between 2009 and 2025, of which 12 sold (80% sell-through). Prices realised range from $2,068 to $54,799, with a median of $10,321 across 12 priced sales (USD at the sale-date rate). The highest recorded price is $54,799 for “Kalla Kooper in Flood 1978” at Smith & Singer in 2018.

Record: Kalla Kooper in Flood 1978 — $54,799Sign up free to see

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All gouaches results

1. 
   Lake Eyre: The Edge of the Void 2021, 2021

   Gouache · Paper

   96.0 x 80.0 cm; 118.5 x 102.0 cm (framed)

   Menzies · Nov 19, 2025 · Lot 45
   A$29,455≈ $19,110≈ £14,564≈ €16,499Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$25,000–35,000View at Menzies ↗
2. 
   (Cave Painting) (Wild Australia Series) (1971), 1971

   Gouache · Paper

   45 x 63 cm

   Smith & Singer · Apr 8, 2025 · Lot 19
   A$6,136≈ $3,718≈ £2,908≈ €3,395Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$5,000–8,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
3. 
   Searching Around, 1969

   Gouache · Paper

   75.5 x 56cm

   Leonard Joel · May 20, 2024 · Lot 12
   A$9,000≈ $6,012≈ £4,735≈ €5,535Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$10,000–15,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
4. 
   The Yin Yang of the Wimmera 1970, 1970

   Gouache · Paper

   59.0 x 79.5 cm; 75.0 x 89.0 cm (framed)

   Menzies · Mar 27, 2024 · Lot 15
   A$24,545≈ $15,993≈ £12,682≈ €14,786Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$20,000–30,000View at Menzies ↗
5. 
   Two Eyes of the Dams 1970, 1970

   Gouache · Paper

   55 x 74 cm

   Smith & Singer · Oct 23, 2019 · Lot 6
   A$18,300≈ $12,525≈ £9,729≈ €11,260Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$15,000–20,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
6. 
   Swimmer Surrounded by a Second Landscape 1985, 1985

   Gouache · Paper

   58.5 x 78.0 cm

   Menzies · Mar 28, 2019 · Lot 91
   A$27,000≈ $19,110≈ £14,574≈ €17,035Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$18,000–24,000View at Menzies ↗
7. 
   Kalla Kooper in Flood 1978, 1978

   Gouache · Paper

   190 x100 cm

   Smith & Singer · May 16, 2018 · Lot 58
   A$73,200≈ $54,799≈ £40,652≈ €46,503Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$60,000–80,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
8. 
   Searching Around 1969, 1969

   Gouache · Paper

   75.0 x 56.0 cm

   Menzies · Nov 30, 2017 · Lot 101
   Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$15,000–20,000View at Menzies ↗
9. 
   When the River Didn't Run - Quiet Music for Sunday (1989), 1989

   Gouache · Paper

   152 x 102 cm

   Smith & Singer · May 10, 2016 · Lot 47
   A$34,160≈ $25,092≈ £17,373≈ €22,058Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$25,000–35,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
10. 
    Frog and Spoonbill 1983, 1983

    Gouache · Paper

    65.5 x 47.0 cm

    Menzies · Sep 24, 2015 · Lot 77
    A$11,659≈ $8,117≈ £5,334≈ €7,221Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$9,000–12,000View at Menzies ↗
11. 
    Drinking Fitzroy Crossing II 1983, 1983

    Gouache · Paper

    26.0 x 34.0 cm

    Menzies · Sep 24, 2014 · Lot 291
    A$2,332≈ $2,068≈ £1,262≈ €1,613Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$2,500–3,500View at Menzies ↗
12. 
    Portugal 1966, 1966

    Gouache · Board

    49 x 63.5 cm

    Smith & Singer · Jul 29, 2014 · Lot 212
    A$6,710≈ $6,300≈ £3,717≈ €4,691Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$3,000–4,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
13. 
    Dunnmoochin 1969, 1969

    Gouache · Paper

    46.0 x 66.0 cm

    Menzies · Jun 27, 2013 · Lot 96
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$18,000–26,000View at Menzies ↗
14. 
    Dunmoochin 1969, 1969

    Gouache · Paper

    45.5 x 66.0 cm

    Menzies · Sep 14, 2011 · Lot 82
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$25,000–35,000View at Menzies ↗
15. 
    Aboriginal Child Writing c1983, c1983

    Gouache · Paper

    22.0 x 22.0 cm

    Menzies · Dec 16, 2009 · Lot 10
    A$4,800≈ $4,320≈ £2,639≈ €2,967Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$4,500–6,500View at Menzies ↗

Other media by John Olsen

PaintingsWorks on PaperPrintsPhotographsSculptureOil PaintingsAcrylic PaintingsMixed MediaWatercolorsPastelsDrawingsEtchingsLithographs

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