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John Olsen Watercolors: Auction Prices

Australian · 1928–2023

ArtSell has recorded 90 auction results for John Olsen watercolors between 2009 and 2026, of which 66 sold (73% sell-through). Prices realised range from $1,544 to $86,297, with a median of $29,665 across 66 priced sales (USD at the sale-date rate). The highest recorded price is $86,297 for “Sunbirds and Lily Pond” at Menzies in 2012.

Record: Sunbirds and Lily Pond — $86,297Sign up free to see

90auction results2009–2026years recorded73%sold$29.7kSign up free to seemedian price$86.3kSign up free to seehighest

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  1. John Olsen, Spoonbill c1983, c1983, watercolour, ink and pastel on paper
    Spoonbill c1983, c1983
    Watercolor · Paper
    75.0 x 54.5 cm; 103.5 x 81.5 cm (framed)
    Menzies · · Lot 65
    A$34,364≈ $24,938≈ £18,308≈ €21,187Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$12,000–18,000View at Menzies ↗
  2. John Olsen, Old Pond, watercolour, ink and pastel on paper
    Old Pond
    Watercolor · Paper
    66.0 x 79.0 cm; 101.0 x 112.5 cm (framed)
    Menzies · · Lot 14
    A$49,091≈ $35,625≈ £26,154≈ €30,268Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$20,000–30,000View at Menzies ↗
  3. John Olsen, Brolga Displaying, 1973, watercolour and gouache on paper
    Brolga Displaying, 1973
    Watercolor · Paper
    36.5 x 59cm
    Leonard Joel · · Lot 77
    A$8,500≈ $6,040≈ £4,528≈ €5,238Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$7,000–9,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
  4. John Olsen, Landscape with Lake Rydal, 2001, watercolour, pastel and synthetic polymer paint on paper
    Landscape with Lake Rydal, 2001
    Watercolor · Paper
    84 x 95cm
    Leonard Joel · · Lot 27
    A$50,000≈ $35,531≈ £26,633≈ €30,813Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$50,000–70,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
  5. John Olsen, Untitled, 1961, watercolour on paper
    Untitled, 1961
    Watercolor · Paper
    36 x 48cm (59 x 69cm framed)
    Leonard Joel · · Lot 54
    A$7,500≈ $5,265≈ £3,954≈ €4,536Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$6,000–8,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
  6. John Olsen, Pond in Rain, watercolour on card
    Pond in Rain
    Watercolor · Board
    72.5 x 61cm (101 x 87cm framed)
    Leonard Joel · · Lot 8
    A$13,000≈ $9,125≈ £6,854≈ €7,863Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$12,000–18,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
  7. John Olsen, Brolgas Dancing, 1970, watercolour on paper
    Brolgas Dancing, 1970
    Watercolor · Paper
    36 x 53cm (59 x 75cm framed)
    Leonard Joel · · Lot 7
    A$2,200≈ $1,544≈ £1,160≈ €1,331Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$2,000–3,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
  8. John Olsen, Swimmers Surrounded by a Phallic Landscape 1985, 1985, watercolour and ink on paper
    Swimmers Surrounded by a Phallic Landscape 1985, 1985
    Watercolor · Paper
    61.0 x 79.5 cm; 85.5 x 102.5 cm (framed)
    Menzies · · Lot 50
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$20,000–30,000View at Menzies ↗
  9. John Olsen, Leaping Cat 2021, 2021, watercolour and pastel on paper
    Leaping Cat 2021, 2021
    Watercolor · Paper
    65.0 x 86.0 cm; 87.0 x 107.5 cm (framed)
    Menzies · · Lot 44
    A$24,545≈ $15,925≈ £12,136≈ €13,748Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$20,000–25,000View at Menzies ↗
  10. John Olsen, Untitled, 1975, ink and watercolour on paper
    Untitled, 1975
    Watercolor · Paper
    74.5 x 55.5cm
    Leonard Joel · · Lot 11
    A$6,000≈ $3,894≈ £2,911≈ €3,355Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$6,000–8,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
  11. John Olsen, The Wind in the Willows, Rydal 1991, 1991, watercolour, gouache and pastel on paper
    The Wind in the Willows, Rydal 1991, 1991
    Watercolor · Paper
    100.0 x 78.0 cm; 129.5 x 105.0 cm (framed)
    Menzies · · Lot 56
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$40,000–60,000View at Menzies ↗
  12. John Olsen, Frogs - Morning 2019, 2019, watercolour and pastel on paper
    Frogs - Morning 2019, 2019
    Watercolor · Paper
    79.5 x 92.5 cm; 99.5 x 113.0 cm (framed)
    Menzies · · Lot 26
    A$73,636≈ $47,416≈ £35,183≈ €40,697Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$45,000–55,000View at Menzies ↗
  13. John Olsen, Tree Frogs and Banana Leaf (also known as Kimberley Tree Frogs) 2010, 2010, watercolour and pastel on paper
    Tree Frogs and Banana Leaf (also known as Kimberley Tree Frogs) 2010, 2010
    Watercolor · Paper
    91.0 x 105.0 cm; 114.0 x 126.5 cm (framed)
    Menzies · · Lot 25
    A$122,727≈ $79,026≈ £58,638≈ €67,828Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$50,000–70,000View at Menzies ↗
  14. John Olsen, Lake Alexandrina, 1975, watercolour on paper
    Lake Alexandrina, 1975
    Watercolor · Paper
    59 x 84cm
    Leonard Joel · · Lot 62
    A$9,000≈ $5,836≈ £4,381≈ €5,145Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$10,000–15,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
  15. John Olsen, Frutta Mista del Mare 1991, 1991, watercolour, ink and pastel on paper
    Frutta Mista del Mare 1991, 1991
    Watercolor · Paper
    99.5 x 94.5 cm; 112.5 x 105.5 cm (framed)
    Menzies · · Lot 28
    A$85,909≈ $51,594≈ £40,378≈ €46,713Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$50,000–70,000View at Menzies ↗
  16. John Olsen, The Edge of the World - Lake Eyre 2012, 2012, watercolour, gouache and pastel on paper
    The Edge of the World - Lake Eyre 2012, 2012
    Watercolor · Paper
    160.0 x 121.0 cm; 180.0 x 140.0 cm (framed)
    Menzies · · Lot 27
    A$92,045≈ $55,279≈ £43,261≈ €50,049Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$60,000–80,000View at Menzies ↗
  17. John Olsen, Frogs & Banana Leaf II, watercolour and pastel on paper
    Frogs & Banana Leaf II
    Watercolor · Paper
    78 x 99cm
    Leonard Joel · · Lot 70
    A$28,000≈ $17,828≈ £13,745≈ €16,329Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$25,000–35,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
  18. John Olsen, Lake Eyre, the Desert Sea 1978, 1978, watercolour and gouache on paper
    Lake Eyre, the Desert Sea 1978, 1978
    Watercolor · Paper
    106.0 x 75.0 cm; 139.0 x 103.5 cm (framed)
    Menzies · · Lot 69
    A$49,091≈ $31,957≈ £25,228≈ €30,256Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$35,000–45,000View at Menzies ↗
  19. John Olsen, Paul Klee's Statement 1991, 1991, watercolour, pastel and pencil on paper
    Paul Klee's Statement 1991, 1991
    Watercolor · Paper
    100 x 95 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 40
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$35,000–45,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  20. John Olsen, Lake Eyre 1985, 1985, watercolour and pastel on paper
    Lake Eyre 1985, 1985
    Watercolor · Paper
    57.0 x 57.0 cm; 97.0 x 90.5 cm (framed)
    Menzies · · Lot 85
    A$27,000≈ $17,978≈ £14,204≈ €16,819Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$22,000–28,000View at Menzies ↗
  21. John Olsen, Lake Alexandrina 1975, 1975, watercolour on paper
    Lake Alexandrina 1975, 1975
    Watercolor · Paper
    59.0 x 84.0 cm; 74.0 x 97.0 cm (framed)
    Menzies · · Lot 103
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$15,000–20,000View at Menzies ↗
  22. John Olsen, Echidna Passing Flowers 2000, 2000, watercolour and pastel on paper
    Echidna Passing Flowers 2000, 2000
    Watercolor · Paper
    65.0 x 60.0 cm; 100.0 x 93.5 cm (framed)
    Menzies · · Lot 78
    A$34,364≈ $22,760≈ £17,927≈ €20,719Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$25,000–35,000View at Menzies ↗
  23. John Olsen, The Roads to Broome 2000, 2000, watercolour on paper
    The Roads to Broome 2000, 2000
    Watercolor · Paper
    79.5 x 89.0 cm; 118.5 x 125.0 cm (framed)
    Menzies · · Lot 46
    A$44,182≈ $29,262≈ £23,048≈ €26,638Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$30,000–40,000View at Menzies ↗
  24. John Olsen, Owls at Cooper Creek 1980, 1980, watercolour and gouache on Torinoko paper
    Owls at Cooper Creek 1980, 1980
    Watercolor · Paper
    192 x 100 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 29
    A$79,773≈ $52,478≈ £41,832≈ €47,903Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$65,000–85,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  25. John Olsen, Landscape, 1977, watercolour and gouache on paper on card
    Landscape, 1977
    Watercolor · Paper
    66 x 96.5cm
    Leonard Joel · · Lot 8
    A$17,000≈ $10,818≈ £8,855≈ €10,175Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$18,000–24,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
  26. John Olsen, Desert and Orange Chats 1993, 1993, watercolour and pastel on paper
    Desert and Orange Chats 1993, 1993
    Watercolor · Paper
    95.5 x 99.5 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 65
    A$49,091≈ $31,498≈ £24,969≈ €29,152Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$40,000–60,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  27. John Olsen, Frog and Pond, watercolour and pastel on paper
    Frog and Pond
    Watercolor · Paper
    76 x 55 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 84
    A$61,364≈ $41,100≈ £32,936≈ €37,483Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$35,000–45,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  28. John Olsen, Birds and Dam 1977, 1977, watercolour, gouache and ink on paper
    Birds and Dam 1977, 1977
    Watercolor · Paper
    66.5 x 101.5 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 44
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$45,000–65,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  29. John Olsen, Warburton River Groove 2011, 2011, watercolour, charcoal and pastel on paper
    Warburton River Groove 2011, 2011
    Watercolor · Paper
    152 x 121 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 8
    A$116,591≈ $78,827≈ £66,230≈ €75,708Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$70,000–90,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  30. John Olsen, The Bathroom 1994, 1994, watercolour, pastel and gouache on paper
    The Bathroom 1994, 1994
    Watercolor · Paper
    100.5 x 93 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 4
    A$49,091≈ $33,892≈ £28,756≈ €34,117Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$40,000–50,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  31. John Olsen, Fabled Tables 1967, 1967, watercolour and ink on paper
    Fabled Tables 1967, 1967
    Watercolor · Paper
    49 x 65 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 3
    A$9,205≈ $6,848≈ £5,262≈ €6,305Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$4,000–6,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  32. John Olsen, Cormorant Nest, Lake Eyre 1977, 1977, watercolour and gouache on paper
    Cormorant Nest, Lake Eyre 1977, 1977
    Watercolor · Paper
    90.5 x 16.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 64
    A$22,091≈ $16,560≈ £11,957≈ €13,935Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$18,000–26,000View at Menzies ↗
  33. John Olsen, Movement of Frogs at Bali 1991, 1991, watercolour and crayon on paper
    Movement of Frogs at Bali 1991, 1991
    Watercolor · Paper
    99 x 95 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 39
    A$67,500≈ $52,508≈ £37,599≈ €43,571Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$45,000–65,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  34. John Olsen, Giraffes and Mt. Kenya 1980, 1980, pencil and watercolour on paper
    Giraffes and Mt. Kenya 1980, 1980
    Watercolor · Paper
    103.0 x 76.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 45
    A$56,455≈ $42,949≈ £31,213≈ €36,631Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$45,000–55,000View at Menzies ↗
  35. John Olsen, Giraffes and Balloon 2010, 2010, watercolour and pastel on paper
    Giraffes and Balloon 2010, 2010
    Watercolor · Paper
    100.0 x 75.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 77
    A$58,909≈ $42,835≈ £32,358≈ €36,203Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$30,000–40,000View at Menzies ↗
  36. John Olsen, Sunlight and Avocets on the Lake 1977, 1977, watercolour on paper
    Sunlight and Avocets on the Lake 1977, 1977
    Watercolor · Paper
    98.0 x 67.5 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 20
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$30,000–40,000View at Menzies ↗
  37. John Olsen, Giraffes, watercolour on paper
    Giraffes
    Watercolor · Paper
    61 x 71.1 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 3
    A$31,250≈ $22,921≈ £17,168≈ €19,325Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$25,000–35,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  38. John Olsen, Torres Strait, 2006, watercolour and pastel on paper
    Torres Strait, 2006
    Watercolor · Paper
    108 x 118cm
    Leonard Joel · · Lot 32
    A$65,000≈ $41,890≈ £33,633≈ €38,633Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$50,000–70,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
  39. John Olsen, Summer Landscape, Clarendon 1985, 1985, watercolour, gouache and pastel on paper
    Summer Landscape, Clarendon 1985, 1985
    Watercolor · Paper
    60.0 x 92.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 58
    A$25,773≈ $16,949≈ £13,139≈ €15,459Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$25,000–35,000View at Menzies ↗
  40. John Olsen, Frog in a Pond 1979, 1979, watercolour on paper
    Frog in a Pond 1979, 1979
    Watercolor · Paper
    90.0 x 63.5 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 27
    A$67,500≈ $44,390≈ £34,411≈ €40,487Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$40,000–60,000View at Menzies ↗
  41. John Olsen, Old Dog 1986, 1986, watercolour and pastel on paper
    Old Dog 1986, 1986
    Watercolor · Paper
    64 x 98 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 105
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$15,000–25,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  42. John Olsen, Paul Klee's Statement 1991, 1991, watercolour, pastel and pencil on paper
    Paul Klee's Statement 1991, 1991
    Watercolor · Paper
    100 x 95 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 49
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$35,000–45,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  43. John Olsen, Spring (2002), 2002, watercolour and crayon on paper on canvas
    Spring (2002), 2002
    Watercolor · Canvas
    191 x 100 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 5
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$60,000–80,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  44. John Olsen, The Fish Trap 1987, 1987, watercolour and pastel on paper
    The Fish Trap 1987, 1987
    Watercolor · Paper
    78 x 57 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 136
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$10,000–15,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  45. John Olsen, Frog, watercolour and pastel on paper
    Frog
    Watercolor · Paper
    60.5 x 40.5 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 12
    A$29,455≈ $20,608≈ £16,209≈ €18,125Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$14,000–18,000View at Menzies ↗
  46. John Olsen, Frog Drawing 2001, 2001, watercolour and pastel on paper
    Frog Drawing 2001, 2001
    Watercolor · Paper
    29.7 x 42.3 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 41
    A$26,840≈ $19,180≈ £14,684≈ €17,008Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$15,000–25,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  47. John Olsen, Warbler Study, watercolour on paper
    Warbler Study
    Watercolor · Paper
    50.8 x 33 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 8
    A$8,540≈ $6,053≈ £4,690≈ €5,315Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$5,000–7,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  48. John Olsen, Honey Possum and Bottle Brush, 1974, watercolour on paper
    Honey Possum and Bottle Brush, 1974
    Watercolor · Paper
    27.5 x 37cm
    Leonard Joel · · Lot 14
    A$5,500≈ $3,952≈ £3,078≈ €3,418Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$5,000–7,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
  49. John Olsen, Frog 1975, 1975, watercolour on paper
    Frog 1975, 1975
    Watercolor · Paper
    36.5 x 33.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 71
    A$9,818≈ $7,284≈ £5,651≈ €6,283Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$5,000–7,000View at Menzies ↗
  50. John Olsen, Improvisation on a Sound 1973, 1973, watercolour on paper
    Improvisation on a Sound 1973, 1973
    Watercolor · Paper
    53.5 x 65.5 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 58
    A$15,955≈ $11,837≈ £9,183≈ €10,210Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$15,000–20,000View at Menzies ↗

Other media by John Olsen

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