John Olsen Works on Paper: Value & Auction Prices

1928–2023

John Olsen works on paper have appeared at auction 171 times in ArtSell’s records between 2009 and 2026; 129 sold, a sell-through rate of 75%. Half of the priced sales fell between $5.8kSign up free to see and $35.9kSign up free to see, with a median of $16.6kSign up free to see. The highest recorded price is $98kSign up free to see for Emus & Windmills 1976 at Menzies in September 2014. The houses with the most results are Menzies (93), Smith & Singer (42) and Leonard Joel (22).

Price chart & statistics for John Olsen →

All works on paper results

1. 
   Honey Eaters (1997), 1997

   Acrylic · Paper

   98 x 92 cm

   Smith & Singer · Aug 24, 2022 · Lot 59
   A$49,091≈ $33,892≈ £28,756≈ €34,117Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$40,000–60,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
2. 
   The Bathroom 1994, 1994

   Watercolor · Paper

   100.5 x 93 cm

   Smith & Singer · Aug 24, 2022 · Lot 4
   A$49,091≈ $33,892≈ £28,756≈ €34,117Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$40,000–50,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
3. 
   Frog at Jone[s] the Grocer, c.1997/8

   Drawing · Paper

   26.5x19.5cm

   Davidson Auctions · Aug 21, 2022 · Lot 116
   A$2,750≈ $1,896≈ £1,605≈ €1,896HammerSign up free to seeEst. A$1,200–2,000View at Davidson Auctions ↗
4. 
   Waterfall, 2002

   Drawing

   20x9cm (plate) 37.5x26.5cm (sheet)

   Davidson Auctions · Jul 3, 2022 · Lot 35
   A$550≈ $373≈ £306≈ €357HammerSign up free to seeEst. A$400–700View at Davidson Auctions ↗
5. 
   Thinking Monkey

   Pastel · Paper

   59.0 x 41.5 cm

   Menzies · Jun 29, 2022 · Lot 77
   A$14,727≈ $10,152≈ £8,346≈ €9,653Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$12,000–18,000View at Menzies ↗
6. 
   Fabled Tables 1967, 1967

   Watercolor · Paper

   49 x 65 cm

   Smith & Singer · Apr 12, 2022 · Lot 3
   A$9,205≈ $6,848≈ £5,262≈ €6,305Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$4,000–6,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
7. 
   Vervet Monkeys

   Pastel · Paper

   93.0 x 64.0 cm

   Menzies · Mar 31, 2022 · Lot 84
   A$34,364≈ $25,725≈ £19,603≈ €23,173Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$15,000–20,000View at Menzies ↗
8. 
   Jumping Frogs 1983, 1983

   Pastel · Paper

   26.0 x 34.5 cm

   Menzies · Mar 31, 2022 · Lot 82
   A$9,205≈ $6,891≈ £5,251≈ €6,207Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$5,000–7,000View at Menzies ↗
9. 
   Spanish Eggs 1974, 1974

   Acrylic · Paper

   60.0 x 85.0 cm

   Menzies · Mar 31, 2022 · Lot 15
   A$23,318≈ $17,456≈ £13,302≈ €15,725Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$15,000–20,000View at Menzies ↗
10. 
    Cormorant Nest, Lake Eyre 1977, 1977

    Watercolor · Paper

    90.5 x 16.0 cm

    Menzies · Jun 30, 2021 · Lot 64
    A$22,091≈ $16,560≈ £11,957≈ €13,935Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$18,000–26,000View at Menzies ↗
11. 
    The Men at Rothburys, Murray Tyrrell thinking about wine

    Drawing

    25.5x35cm

    Davidson Auctions · May 16, 2021 · Lot 1064
    A$2,250≈ $1,745≈ £1,239≈ €1,439HammerSign up free to seeEst. A$1,000–3,000View at Davidson Auctions ↗
12. 
    Font Study for a Menu Cover - Unsigned

    Drawing

    14x24.5cm

    Davidson Auctions · May 16, 2021 · Lot 1051
    A$300≈ $233≈ £165≈ €192HammerSign up free to seeEst. A$200–400View at Davidson Auctions ↗
13. 
    Movement of Frogs at Bali 1991, 1991

    Watercolor · Paper

    99 x 95 cm

    Smith & Singer · Apr 20, 2021 · Lot 39
    A$67,500≈ $52,508≈ £37,599≈ €43,571Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$45,000–65,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
14. 
    Giraffes and Mt. Kenya 1980, 1980

    Watercolor · Paper

    103.0 x 76.0 cm

    Menzies · Mar 31, 2021 · Lot 45
    A$56,455≈ $42,949≈ £31,213≈ €36,631Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$45,000–55,000View at Menzies ↗
15. 
    Untitled, 1967

    Mixed media · Paper

    37 x 49cm

    Leonard Joel · Mar 16, 2021 · Lot 27
    A$6,500≈ $5,037≈ £3,630≈ €4,224Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$7,000–9,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
16. 
    Giraffes and Balloon 2010, 2010

    Watercolor · Paper

    100.0 x 75.0 cm

    Menzies · Nov 19, 2020 · Lot 77
    A$58,909≈ $42,835≈ £32,358≈ €36,203Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$30,000–40,000View at Menzies ↗
17. 
    Sunlight and Avocets on the Lake 1977, 1977

    Watercolor · Paper

    98.0 x 67.5 cm

    Menzies · Nov 19, 2020 · Lot 20
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$30,000–40,000View at Menzies ↗
18. 
    Giraffes

    Watercolor · Paper

    61 x 71.1 cm

    Smith & Singer · Sep 2, 2020 · Lot 3
    A$31,250≈ $22,921≈ £17,168≈ €19,325Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$25,000–35,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
19. 
    Torres Strait, 2006

    Watercolor · Paper

    108 x 118cm

    Leonard Joel · May 5, 2020 · Lot 32
    A$65,000≈ $41,890≈ £33,633≈ €38,633Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$50,000–70,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
20. 
    (Heart), 1965

    Pastel · Paper

    55 x 61cm

    Leonard Joel · Mar 17, 2020 · Lot 26
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$4,000–6,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
21. 
    Untitled (Kangaroos), c.1977-80

    Mixed media · Paper

    14 x 22.5cm

    Leonard Joel · Mar 17, 2020 · Lot 19
    A$1,800≈ $1,081≈ £894≈ €984Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$2,000–3,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
22. 
    Summer Landscape, Clarendon 1985, 1985

    Watercolor · Paper

    60.0 x 92.0 cm

    Menzies · Feb 27, 2020 · Lot 58
    A$25,773≈ $16,949≈ £13,139≈ €15,459Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$25,000–35,000View at Menzies ↗
23. 
    Frog in a Pond 1979, 1979

    Watercolor · Paper

    90.0 x 63.5 cm

    Menzies · Feb 27, 2020 · Lot 27
    A$67,500≈ $44,390≈ £34,411≈ €40,487Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$40,000–60,000View at Menzies ↗
24. 
    Old Dog 1986, 1986

    Watercolor · Paper

    64 x 98 cm

    Smith & Singer · Oct 30, 2019 · Lot 105
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$15,000–25,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
25. 
    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 ↗
26. 
    Paul Klee's Statement 1991, 1991

    Watercolor · Paper

    100 x 95 cm

    Smith & Singer · Aug 27, 2019 · Lot 49
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$35,000–45,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
27. 
    Spring (2002), 2002

    Watercolor · Canvas

    191 x 100 cm

    Smith & Singer · Aug 27, 2019 · Lot 5
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$60,000–80,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
28. 
    The Fish Trap 1987, 1987

    Watercolor · Paper

    78 x 57 cm

    Smith & Singer · Jul 17, 2019 · Lot 136
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$10,000–15,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
29. 
    Rydal - Grevilleas and Honeyeaters 1999, 1999

    Acrylic · Paper

    100.0 x 94.5 cm

    Menzies · Jun 27, 2019 · Lot 51
    A$54,000≈ $37,781≈ £29,716≈ €33,229Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$40,000–60,000View at Menzies ↗
30. 
    Frog

    Watercolor · Paper

    60.5 x 40.5 cm

    Menzies · Jun 27, 2019 · Lot 12
    A$29,455≈ $20,608≈ £16,209≈ €18,125Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$14,000–18,000View at Menzies ↗
31. 
    Untitled '72

    Drawing · Paper

    36 x 54cm

    Leonard Joel · Jun 4, 2019 · Lot 83
    A$2,600≈ $1,814≈ £1,432≈ €1,613Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$2,500–3,500View at Leonard Joel ↗
32. 
    Frog Drawing 2001, 2001

    Watercolor · Paper

    29.7 x 42.3 cm

    Smith & Singer · Apr 9, 2019 · Lot 41
    A$26,840≈ $19,180≈ £14,684≈ €17,008Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$15,000–25,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
33. 
    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 ↗
34. 
    Warbler Study

    Watercolor · Paper

    50.8 x 33 cm

    Smith & Singer · Oct 24, 2018 · Lot 8
    A$8,540≈ $6,053≈ £4,690≈ €5,315Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$5,000–7,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
35. 
    Spider Monkeys (1990), 1990

    Pastel · Paper

    41.5 x 59 cm

    Smith & Singer · Oct 24, 2018 · Lot 7
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$6,000–9,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
36. 
    Honey Possum and Bottle Brush, 1974

    Watercolor · Paper

    27.5 x 37cm

    Leonard Joel · Sep 4, 2018 · Lot 14
    A$5,500≈ $3,952≈ £3,078≈ €3,418Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$5,000–7,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
37. 
    Frog 1975, 1975

    Watercolor · Paper

    36.5 x 33.0 cm

    Menzies · Aug 9, 2018 · Lot 71
    A$9,818≈ $7,284≈ £5,651≈ €6,283Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$5,000–7,000View at Menzies ↗
38. 
    Improvisation on a Sound 1973, 1973

    Watercolor · Paper

    53.5 x 65.5 cm

    Menzies · Aug 9, 2018 · Lot 58
    A$15,955≈ $11,837≈ £9,183≈ €10,210Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$15,000–20,000View at Menzies ↗
39. 
    Chasing the Rhino 1992, 1992

    Watercolor · Paper

    120.0 x 100.0 cm

    Menzies · Aug 9, 2018 · Lot 44
    A$41,727≈ $30,957≈ £24,016≈ €26,703Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$40,000–50,000View at Menzies ↗
40. 
    Wild Australia, 1971

    Watercolor · Board

    29.5 x 27cm

    Leonard Joel · Jun 5, 2018 · Lot 9
    A$4,700≈ $3,578≈ £2,678≈ €3,065Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$2,000–3,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
41. 
    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 ↗
42. 
    Rookery

    Watercolor · Paper

    190 x 99.2 cm

    Smith & Singer · May 16, 2018 · Lot 43
    A$73,200≈ $54,799≈ £40,652≈ €46,503Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$60,000–80,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
43. 
    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 ↗
44. 
    Depressed Old Monkey

    Drawing · Paper

    37.5 x 50.0 cm

    Menzies · Nov 30, 2017 · Lot 99
    A$10,432≈ $7,894≈ £5,862≈ €6,662Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$4,000–6,000View at Menzies ↗
45. 
    The Simpson Desert Joining Lake Eyre 1977, 1977

    Pastel · Board

    80 x 59.5 cm

    Smith & Singer · Jun 21, 2017 · Lot 183
    A$29,280≈ $22,146≈ £17,446≈ €19,867Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$8,000–12,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
46. 
    Brett Whiteley Pondering on Erotica 1979, 1979

    Drawing · Paper

    75.5 x 56.0 cm

    Menzies · May 11, 2017 · Lot 124
    A$19,023≈ $14,018≈ £10,906≈ €12,908Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$4,000–6,000View at Menzies ↗
47. 
    Landscape 1977, 1977

    Watercolor · Paper

    66.5 x 96.5 cm

    Menzies · May 11, 2017 · Lot 11
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$20,000–30,000View at Menzies ↗
48. 
    The Little Creek, Rydal 2000, 2000

    Watercolor · Paper

    79.0 x 89.5 cm

    Menzies · Feb 9, 2017 · Lot 51
    A$39,273≈ $30,069≈ £23,929≈ €28,123Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$40,000–60,000View at Menzies ↗
49. 
    Frog Pond, North Queensland 1994, 1994

    Watercolor · Paper

    100.0 x 78.5 cm

    Menzies · Feb 9, 2017 · Lot 26
    A$66,273≈ $50,741≈ £40,379≈ €47,457Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$40,000–60,000View at Menzies ↗
50. 
    By The Sea, 1987

    Pastel · Paper

    77 x 58.5cm

    Leonard Joel · Sep 6, 2016 · Lot 21
    A$12,000≈ $9,156≈ £6,854≈ €8,205Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$12,000–18,000View at Leonard Joel ↗

Other media by John Olsen

PaintingsPrintsPhotographsSculptureOil PaintingsAcrylic PaintingsMixed MediaWatercolorsGouachesPastelsDrawingsEtchingsLithographs

All John Olsen auction results →