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John Olsen Watercolors: Value & Auction Prices

1928–2023

John Olsen watercolors have appeared at auction 90 times in ArtSell’s records between 2009 and 2026; 66 sold, a sell-through rate of 73%. Across 66 sales with a published price, the typical result was $13.7kSign up free to see to $46.1kSign up free to see (median $29.7kSign up free to see). Sunbirds and Lily Pond holds the top price on file: $86.3kSign up free to see at Menzies (December 2012). The houses with the most results are Menzies (47), Smith & Singer (30) and Leonard Joel (13).

A$82,227≈ $86,297≈ £53,564≈ €66,017Sign uprecord price · incl. premiumSunbirds and Lily PondMenzies90auction results2009–2026years recorded73%sold$29.7kSign up free to seemedian price

John Olsen watercolors: key figures

Auction results
90
Sold rate
73%
Active at auction
2009–2026
Median price
$29.7kSign up free to see
Record price
$86.3kSign up free to see Sunbirds and Lily Pond, Menzies, Dec 2012

Top auction houses: Menzies (47), Smith & Singer (30), Leonard Joel (13)

Price guide: what is a work by John Olsen worth? →

Selling? How to sell a work by John Olsen: free estimate, costs and timeline →

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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 watercolors results

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  1. Chasing the Rhino 1992 by John Olsen, 1992, watercolour, gouache and pastel on paper, sold Aug 2018
    Chasing the Rhino 1992, 1992
    Watercolor · Paper
    120.0 x 100.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 44
    A$41,727≈ $30,957≈ £24,016≈ €26,703Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$40,000–50,000View at Menzies ↗
  2. Wild Australia by John Olsen, 1971, watercolour and gouache on paper on board, sold Jun 2018
    Wild Australia, 1971
    Watercolor · Board
    29.5 x 27cm
    Leonard Joel · · Lot 9
    A$4,700≈ $3,578≈ £2,678≈ €3,065Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$2,000–3,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
  3. Rookery by John Olsen, watercolour and pastel on paper, sold May 2018
    Rookery
    Watercolor · Paper
    190 x 99.2 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 43
    A$73,200≈ $54,799≈ £40,652≈ €46,503Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$60,000–80,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  4. Landscape 1977 by John Olsen, 1977, watercolour and gouache on paper, offered May 2017
    Landscape 1977, 1977
    Watercolor · Paper
    66.5 x 96.5 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 11
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$20,000–30,000View at Menzies ↗
  5. The Little Creek, Rydal 2000 by John Olsen, 2000, watercolour and pastel on paper, sold Feb 2017
    The Little Creek, Rydal 2000, 2000
    Watercolor · Paper
    79.0 x 89.5 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 51
    A$39,273≈ $30,069≈ £23,929≈ €28,123Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$40,000–60,000View at Menzies ↗
  6. Frog Pond, North Queensland 1994 by John Olsen, 1994, watercolour, pastel and crayon on paper, sold Feb 2017
    Frog Pond, North Queensland 1994, 1994
    Watercolor · Paper
    100.0 x 78.5 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 26
    A$66,273≈ $50,741≈ £40,379≈ €47,457Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$40,000–60,000View at Menzies ↗
  7. A Poet Attached to Country Life (1990) by John Olsen, 1990, watercolour, gouache and pastel on paper, sold Aug 2016
    A Poet Attached to Country Life (1990), 1990
    Watercolor · Paper
    94.7 x 99.3 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 67
    A$56,120≈ $42,194≈ £32,146≈ €37,904Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$40,000–50,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  8. Early One Morning by John Olsen, watercolour on paper, sold Jul 2016
    Early One Morning
    Watercolor · Paper
    48 x 63 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 129
    A$3,660≈ $2,742≈ £2,086≈ €2,485Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$3,000–5,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  9. Rookery, Jackboot Bay, Lake Eyre (2001) by John Olsen, 2001, watercolour, pastel and gouache on paper, sold May 2016
    Rookery, Jackboot Bay, Lake Eyre (2001), 2001
    Watercolor · Paper
    121.5 x 80 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 149
    A$51,240≈ $37,779≈ £26,147≈ €33,114Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$30,000–40,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  10. Monkey 1982 by John Olsen, 1982, watercolour and pastel on paper, offered May 2016
    Monkey 1982, 1982
    Watercolor · Paper
    35 x 78 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 117
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$6,000–8,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  11. Early One Morning by John Olsen, watercolour on paper, offered Apr 2016
    Early One Morning
    Watercolor · Paper
    48 x 63 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 163
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$4,000–6,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  12. Desert and Orange Chats 1993 by John Olsen, 1993, watercolour and pastel on paper, offered Nov 2015
    Desert and Orange Chats 1993, 1993
    Watercolor · Paper
    95.5 x 99.5 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 69
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$40,000–50,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  13. Horse in Carcour 1979 by John Olsen, 1979, watercolour on paper, offered Oct 2015
    Horse in Carcour 1979, 1979
    Watercolor · Paper
    55 x 74.8 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 143
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$4,000–6,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  14. Desert Landscape and Marsupial Mice 1998 by John Olsen, 1998, watercolour and mixed media on Torinoko paper, offered Sep 2015
    Desert Landscape and Marsupial Mice 1998, 1998
    Watercolor · Paper
    190.0 x 100.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 45
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$60,000–80,000View at Menzies ↗
  15. Harbour Tidal Pool 1993 by John Olsen, 1993, watercolour on paper, sold Sep 2015
    Harbour Tidal Pool 1993, 1993
    Watercolor · Paper
    100.0 x 190.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 30
    A$104,318≈ $72,623≈ £47,725≈ €64,606Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$90,000–120,000View at Menzies ↗
  16. Spoonbill and Lilypond II 1979 by John Olsen, 1979, watercolour on paper, sold Aug 2015
    Spoonbill and Lilypond II 1979, 1979
    Watercolor · Paper
    104 x 98.5 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 36
    A$36,600≈ $26,424≈ £16,742≈ €22,965Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$30,000–40,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  17. Waterbird by John Olsen, watercolour, gouache and pastel on paper, sold Mar 2015
    Waterbird
    Watercolor · Paper
    79.0 x 104.5 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 28
    A$67,500≈ $52,944≈ £35,564≈ €48,249Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$50,000–60,000View at Menzies ↗
  18. Rhino by John Olsen, watercolour, pastel and gouache on paper, sold Dec 2014
    Rhino
    Watercolor · Paper
    100.0 x 96.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 21
    A$39,273≈ $32,418≈ £20,677≈ €26,085Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$35,000–45,000View at Menzies ↗
  19. Lilypond, North Queensland 1983 by John Olsen, 1983, watercolour and pastel on paper, sold Dec 2014
    Lilypond, North Queensland 1983, 1983
    Watercolor · Paper
    54.0 x 74.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 11
    A$50,318≈ $41,535≈ £26,493≈ €33,420Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$30,000–40,000View at Menzies ↗
  20. The Bathroom 1994 by John Olsen, 1994, watercolour, pastel and gouache on paper, offered Aug 2014
    The Bathroom 1994, 1994
    Watercolor · Paper
    100.5 x 93 cm
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 70
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$35,000–45,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  21. Echidna and Ant 1979 by John Olsen, 1979, watercolour on paper, sold Jul 2014
    Echidna and Ant 1979, 1979
    Watercolor · Paper
    60.0 x 50.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 106
    A$18,409≈ $17,377≈ £10,218≈ €12,899Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$18,000–24,000View at Menzies ↗
  22. Myself, Eminent Scientist and Philosopher Viewing Sea Objects by John Olsen, 1973, watercolour, sold Dec 2013
    Myself, Eminent Scientist and Philosopher Viewing Sea Objects, 1973
    Watercolor
    41 x 50cm
    Leonard Joel · · Lot 54
    A$7,000≈ $6,391≈ £3,893≈ €4,707Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$7,000–9,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
  23. LUNCH AT HEIDE 1990 by John Olsen, 1990, watercolour and pastel on paper, sold Nov 2013
    LUNCH AT HEIDE 1990, 1990
    Watercolor · Paper
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 12
    A$51,240≈ $46,709≈ £28,904≈ €34,479Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$35,000–45,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  24. The Rookery, Lake Albert 1974 by John Olsen, 1974, watercolour on paper, sold Oct 2013
    The Rookery, Lake Albert 1974, 1974
    Watercolor · Paper
    45.0 x 65.5 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 96
    A$24,000≈ $22,809≈ £14,217≈ €16,721HammerSign up free to seeEst. A$24,000–28,000View at Menzies ↗
  25. Frogs 2001 by John Olsen, 2001, crayon, ink and watercolour on paper, sold Oct 2013
    Frogs 2001, 2001
    Watercolor · Paper
    29.0 x 42.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 85
    A$12,000≈ $11,405≈ £7,108≈ €8,361HammerSign up free to seeEst. A$14,000–18,000View at Menzies ↗
  26. The Little River by John Olsen, watercolour and crayon on paper, offered Oct 2013
    The Little River
    Watercolor · Paper
    99.0 x 121.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 28
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$48,000–58,000View at Menzies ↗
  27. Tidal (Noosa) 1987 by John Olsen, 1987, watercolour, pastel and gouache on paper, sold May 2013
    Tidal (Noosa) 1987, 1987
    Watercolor · Paper
    48.0 x 63.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 89
    A$14,727≈ $14,412≈ £9,511≈ €11,202Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$14,000–18,000View at Menzies ↗
  28. THE TRAVELLING PUPPET SHOW by John Olsen, watercolour and pastel on paper, sold May 2013
    THE TRAVELLING PUPPET SHOW
    Watercolor · Paper
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 23
    A$51,240≈ $50,837≈ £33,227≈ €39,174Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$35,000–45,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  29. Sunbirds and Lily Pond by John Olsen, watercolour and pastel on paper, sold Dec 2012
    Sunbirds and Lily Pond
    Watercolor · Paper
    100.0 x 95.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 49
    A$82,227≈ $86,297≈ £53,564≈ €66,017Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$45,000–65,000View at Menzies ↗
  30. SWINGING MONKEY I 1982 by John Olsen, 1982, watercolour and pastel, offered Nov 2012
    SWINGING MONKEY I 1982, 1982
    Watercolor
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 45
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$20,000–30,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  31. THE FISH 1989 by John Olsen, 1989, watercolour, gouache and pastel, offered Nov 2012
    THE FISH 1989, 1989
    Watercolor
    Smith & Singer · · Lot 13
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$30,000–40,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
  32. The Chinese Restaurant 1999 by John Olsen, 1999, watercolour and pastel on paper, sold Dec 2010
    The Chinese Restaurant 1999, 1999
    Watercolor · Paper
    98.5 x 93.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 69
    A$55,200≈ $54,888≈ £35,041≈ €41,084Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$40,000–50,000View at Menzies ↗
  33. Wet Season by John Olsen, watercolour and pastel on paper, sold Jun 2010
    Wet Season
    Watercolor · Paper
    79.0 x 71.5 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 58
    A$60,000≈ $51,888≈ £34,636≈ €42,316Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$50,000–60,000View at Menzies ↗
  34. The Wet and Lilly Trotters 1994 by John Olsen, 1994, watercolour, gouache and pastel on paper, sold Mar 2010
    The Wet and Lilly Trotters 1994, 1994
    Watercolor · Paper
    99.5 x 78.5 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 92
    A$84,000≈ $76,743≈ £51,392≈ €57,460Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$45,000–65,000View at Menzies ↗
  35. Untitled 1 by John Olsen, watercolour on paper, offered Mar 2010
    Untitled 1
    Watercolor · Paper
    97.0 x 85.5 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 77
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$22,000–28,000View at Menzies ↗
  36. Summer Landscape, Clarendon 1985 by John Olsen, 1985, watercolour, gouache and pastel on paper, offered Dec 2009
    Summer Landscape, Clarendon 1985, 1985
    Watercolor · Paper
    60.0 x 92.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 60
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$25,000–35,000View at Menzies ↗
  37. Arnhem Land 1971 by John Olsen, 1971, watercolour and gouache on paper on board, sold Jun 2009
    Arnhem Land 1971, 1971
    Watercolor · Board
    40.5 x 54.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 209
    A$16,800≈ $13,417≈ £8,123≈ €9,564Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$15,000–17,000View at Menzies ↗
  38. Fink River Reaches the Void 1977 by John Olsen, 1977, watercolour on paper on board, sold Jun 2009
    Fink River Reaches the Void 1977, 1977
    Watercolor · Board
    140.5 x 97.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 149
    A$33,600≈ $26,835≈ £16,246≈ €19,128Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$30,000–40,000View at Menzies ↗
  39. Salt Pans 1977 by John Olsen, 1977, watercolour and gouache on paper, offered Jun 2009
    Salt Pans 1977, 1977
    Watercolor · Paper
    120.0 x 98.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 70
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$24,000–28,000View at Menzies ↗
  40. Summer Pond 1995 by John Olsen, 1995, watercolour and pastel on paper, offered Mar 2009
    Summer Pond 1995, 1995
    Watercolor · Paper
    70.0 x 94.0 cm
    Menzies · · Lot 19
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$40,000–50,000View at Menzies ↗

Other media by John Olsen

PaintingsWorks on PaperPrintsPhotographsSculptureOil PaintingsAcrylic PaintingsMixed MediaGouachesPastelsDrawingsEtchingsLithographs

All John Olsen auction results →