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John Olsen Oil Paintings: Value & Auction Prices

1928–2023

ArtSell has recorded 85 auction results for John Olsen oil paintings between 2009 and 2026, and 62 of them sold (73%). Across 62 sales with a published price, the typical result was $22kSign up free to see to $165kSign up free to see (median $70.1kSign up free to see). Seafood Paella 2007 holds the top price on file: $741kSign up free to see at Smith & Singer (April 2019). Sales were recorded mainly at Menzies (46), Smith & Singer (30) and Leonard Joel (5).

A$1,037,000≈ $741,030≈ £567,317≈ €657,116Sign uprecord price · incl. premiumSeafood Paella 2007Smith & Singer85auction results2009–2026years recorded73%sold$70.1kSign up free to seemedian price

John Olsen oil paintings: key figures

Auction results
85
Sold rate
73%
Active at auction
2009–2026
Median price
$70.1kSign up free to see
Record price
$741kSign up free to see Seafood Paella 2007, Smith & Singer, Apr 2019
MediumPriced salesTypical rangeMedian
Paintings59$31.3k–$168kSign up free to see$71.1kSign up free to see
Works on Paper3$11k–$19.6kSign up free to see$12.8kSign up free to see

Top auction houses: Menzies (46), Smith & Singer (30), Leonard Joel (5)

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Typical range is the middle half of priced sales (USD at the sale-date rate). Past auction results, not a valuation.

Price chart & statistics for John Olsen →

All oil paintings results

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  1. Sweeping St Mark’s Square, Venice 1993-94 by John Olsen, 1993-94, oil on canvas, sold Apr 2018
    Sweeping St Mark’s Square, Venice 1993-94, 1993-94
    Oil · Canvas
    106.5 x 122.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 23
    A$85,909≈ $65,049≈ £46,564≈ €53,459Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$80,000–100,000View at Menzies ↗
  2. Jean de Florette 1989 by John Olsen, 1989, oil on canvas, sold Nov 2017
    Jean de Florette 1989, 1989
    Oil · Canvas
    182.5 x 244.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 40
    A$326,945≈ $247,396≈ £183,705≈ €208,791Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$300,000–400,000View at Menzies ↗
  3. Spoonbills on the Murray 1971 by John Olsen, 1971, oil on composition board, sold Nov 2017
    Spoonbills on the Murray 1971, 1971
    Oil · Board
    87 x 95.5 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 7
    A$84,180≈ $63,780≈ £48,168≈ €54,429Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$50,000–70,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  4. Murray Flowing into Lake Alexandrina 1980-82 by John Olsen, 1980-82, oil on canvas, sold Aug 2017
    Murray Flowing into Lake Alexandrina 1980-82, 1980-82
    Oil · Canvas
    161.0 x 167.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 38
    A$184,091≈ $145,067≈ £111,659≈ €123,651Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$140,000–180,000View at Menzies ↗
  5. Grevilleas and Tableland c1981-82 by John Olsen, c1981-82, oil on canvas, sold Feb 2017
    Grevilleas and Tableland c1981-82, c1981-82
    Oil · Canvas
    122.0 x 152.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 32
    A$104,318≈ $79,869≈ £63,560≈ €74,700Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$90,000–120,000View at Menzies ↗
  6. Life Approaching the Void 1978 by John Olsen, 1978, oil on canvas, sold May 2016
    Life Approaching the Void 1978, 1978
    Oil · Canvas
    178 x 183 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 150
    A$170,800≈ $125,931≈ £87,155≈ €110,379Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$140,000–180,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  7. Untitled 1969 by John Olsen, 1969, oil on board, offered Mar 2016
    Untitled 1969, 1969
    Oil · Board
    91.0 x 121.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 38
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$70,000–90,000View at Menzies ↗
  8. The Squid at Sunset 2005 by John Olsen, 2005, oil on board, offered Dec 2015
    The Squid at Sunset 2005, 2005
    Oil · Board
    35.0 x 40.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 98
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$14,000–18,000View at Menzies ↗
  9. Moon and Wattle Blossom Night 1980 by John Olsen, 1980, oil on canvas, offered Dec 2015
    Moon and Wattle Blossom Night 1980, 1980
    Oil · Canvas
    106.0 x 121.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 47
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$80,000–100,000View at Menzies ↗
  10. Vase of Flowers by John Olsen, oil on board, sold Sep 2015
    Vase of Flowers
    Oil · Board
    30.5 x 22.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 170
    A$9,818≈ $6,835≈ £4,492≈ €6,080Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$10,000–15,000View at Menzies ↗
  11. The Little Flounder by John Olsen, oil on canvas, offered Sep 2015
    The Little Flounder
    Oil · Canvas
    39.0 x 49.5 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 154
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$10,000–15,000View at Menzies ↗
  12. Mallee Road to Nhill I 1981 by John Olsen, 1981, oil on canvas, sold Sep 2015
    Mallee Road to Nhill I 1981, 1981
    Oil · Canvas
    152.0 x 136.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 51
    A$99,409≈ $69,206≈ £45,479≈ €61,565Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$100,000–140,000View at Menzies ↗
  13. The Image Slides 1963 by John Olsen, 1963, oil and gouache on paper, sold Sep 2015
    The Image Slides 1963, 1963
    Oil · Paper
    55.0 x 75.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 14
    A$18,409≈ $12,816≈ £8,422≈ €11,401Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$18,000–26,000View at Menzies ↗
  14. The Mother 1964 by John Olsen, 1964, oil on canvas, sold Apr 2015
    The Mother 1964, 1964
    Oil · Canvas
    166 x 212cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 81
    A$219,600≈ $174,490≈ £114,172≈ €159,687Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$180,000–220,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  15. Lake Alexandrina and Dirt Roads 1997-1998 by John Olsen, 1997-1998, oil on canvas, offered Apr 2015
    Lake Alexandrina and Dirt Roads 1997-1998, 1997-1998
    Oil · Canvas
    199 x 183 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 62
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$140,000–180,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  16. Captain Dobbin 1973 by John Olsen, 1973, oil and synthetic polymer paint on composition board, sold Apr 2015
    Captain Dobbin 1973, 1973
    Oil · Board
    183 x 228.5 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 17
    A$402,600≈ $319,898≈ £209,316≈ €292,759Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$300,000–500,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  17. Self Portrait (The Afternoon Walk, Dunmoochin) 1969 by John Olsen, 1969, oil on composition board, sold Dec 2014
    Self Portrait (The Afternoon Walk, Dunmoochin) 1969, 1969
    Oil · Board
    183.0 x 122.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 32
    A$85,909≈ $70,914≈ £45,231≈ €57,060Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$70,000–90,000View at Menzies ↗
  18. Evening Landscape with Fish Shaped 'Mine' 1985 by John Olsen, 1985, oil on canvas, sold Jul 2014
    Evening Landscape with Fish Shaped 'Mine' 1985, 1985
    Oil · Canvas
    74.0 x 89.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 21
    A$22,091≈ $20,853≈ £12,261≈ €15,479Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$26,000–32,000View at Menzies ↗
  19. (Untitled) 1969 by John Olsen, 1969, oil on composition board, offered Apr 2014
    (Untitled) 1969, 1969
    Oil · Board
    59 x 40 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 299
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$8,000–12,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  20. Fire in the Kimberley 1982 by John Olsen, 1982, oil on canvas, offered Mar 2014
    Fire in the Kimberley 1982, 1982
    Oil · Canvas
    151.0 x 136.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 51
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$100,000–140,000View at Menzies ↗
  21. Untitled 1969 by John Olsen, 1969, oil on board, offered Mar 2014
    Untitled 1969, 1969
    Oil · Board
    91.0 x 121.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 36
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$90,000–120,000View at Menzies ↗
  22. Georges Mora by John Olsen, oil on paper, sold Dec 2013
    Georges Mora
    Oil · Paper
    76 x 56.5cm
    Leonard Joel · · Lot 49
    A$12,000≈ $10,955≈ £6,673≈ €8,068Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$14,000–18,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
  23. GOYA'S DOG AND THE PAELLA 1986 by John Olsen, 1986, oil on canvas, offered Aug 2013
    GOYA'S DOG AND THE PAELLA 1986, 1986
    Oil · Canvas
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 28
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$200,000–300,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  24. THE DESERT WIND 1983 by John Olsen, 1983, oil on canvas, offered Aug 2013
    THE DESERT WIND 1983, 1983
    Oil · Canvas
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 2
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$160,000–200,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  25. Kangaroo Country 1968 by John Olsen, 1968, oil on paper, offered Dec 2012
    Kangaroo Country 1968, 1968
    Oil · Paper
    56.0 x 74.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 75
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$12,000–16,000View at Menzies ↗
  26. Marine Still-life 2006 by John Olsen, 2006, oil on canvas, offered Sep 2012
    Marine Still-life 2006, 2006
    Oil · Canvas
    129.5 x 183.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 41
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$100,000–140,000View at Menzies ↗
  27. Octopus, Still Life, Greece 2008 by John Olsen, 2008, oil on canvas, sold Mar 2012
    Octopus, Still Life, Greece 2008, 2008
    Oil · Canvas
    35.0 x 45.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 138
    A$14,114≈ $14,638≈ £9,264≈ €11,117Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$14,000–18,000View at Menzies ↗
  28. Man, Kangaroo and Landscape by John Olsen, oil on paper, offered Mar 2012
    Man, Kangaroo and Landscape
    Oil · Paper
    80.0 x 60.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 123
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$16,000–22,000View at Menzies ↗
  29. Landscape in Series 1994 by John Olsen, 1994, oil on canvas, sold Dec 2011
    Landscape in Series 1994, 1994
    Oil · Canvas
    138.0 x 183.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 28
    A$152,727≈ $157,416≈ £100,105≈ €117,387Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$140,000–180,000View at Menzies ↗
  30. Young Miner 1985 by John Olsen, 1985, oil on canvas, offered Sep 2011
    Young Miner 1985, 1985
    Oil · Canvas
    91.0 x 75.5 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 61
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$60,000–80,000View at Menzies ↗
  31. Self Portrait by the Sea by John Olsen, oil on canvas, sold Jun 2010
    Self Portrait by the Sea
    Oil · Canvas
    152.0 x 137.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 44
    A$150,000≈ $129,720≈ £86,590≈ €105,790Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$110,000–150,000View at Menzies ↗
  32. Self Portrait (The Afternoon Walk, Dunmoochin) 1969 by John Olsen, 1969, oil on composition board, sold Dec 2009
    Self Portrait (The Afternoon Walk, Dunmoochin) 1969, 1969
    Oil · Board
    183.0 x 122.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 41
    A$84,000≈ $75,594≈ £46,178≈ €51,919Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$70,000–90,000View at Menzies ↗
  33. Landscape and Night Heron c1982 by John Olsen, c1982, oil on canvas, offered Sep 2009
    Landscape and Night Heron c1982, c1982
    Oil · Canvas
    136.0 x 182.5 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 33
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$220,000–300,000View at Menzies ↗
  34. Bean Festival 2007 by John Olsen, 2007, oil on canvas, offered Jun 2009
    Bean Festival 2007, 2007
    Oil · Canvas
    182.0 x 200.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 42
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$220,000–260,000View at Menzies ↗
  35. Where the Wattle Stains the Doubting Heart c1979-80 by John Olsen, c1979-80, oil on canvas, sold Jun 2009
    Where the Wattle Stains the Doubting Heart c1979-80, c1979-80
    Oil · Canvas
    137.0 x 152.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 34
    A$210,000≈ $167,717≈ £101,536≈ €119,550Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$180,000–220,000View at Menzies ↗

Other media by John Olsen

PaintingsWorks on PaperPrintsPhotographsSculptureAcrylic PaintingsMixed MediaWatercolorsGouachesPastelsDrawingsEtchingsLithographs

All John Olsen auction results →