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. 
   A Poet Attached to Country Life (1990), 1990

   Watercolor · Paper

   94.7 x 99.3 cm

   Smith & Singer · Aug 31, 2016 · Lot 67
   A$56,120≈ $42,194≈ £32,146≈ €37,904Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$40,000–50,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
2. 
   Early One Morning

   Watercolor · Paper

   48 x 63 cm

   Smith & Singer · Jul 19, 2016 · Lot 129
   A$3,660≈ $2,742≈ £2,086≈ €2,485Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$3,000–5,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
3. 
   Rookery, Jackboot Bay, Lake Eyre (2001), 2001

   Watercolor · Paper

   121.5 x 80 cm

   Smith & Singer · May 11, 2016 · Lot 149
   A$51,240≈ $37,779≈ £26,147≈ €33,114Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$30,000–40,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
4. 
   Monkey Looking at Numbers Passing By 1990, 1990

   Pastel · Paper

   103 x 65.8 cm

   Smith & Singer · May 10, 2016 · Lot 118
   A$14,030≈ $10,305≈ £7,135≈ €9,060Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$8,000–12,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
5. 
   Monkey 1982, 1982

   Watercolor · Paper

   35 x 78 cm

   Smith & Singer · May 10, 2016 · Lot 117
   Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$6,000–8,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
6. 
   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 ↗
7. 
   Early One Morning

   Watercolor · Paper

   48 x 63 cm

   Smith & Singer · Apr 6, 2016 · Lot 163
   Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$4,000–6,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
8. 
   Rydal - Grevilleas and Honeyeaters 1999, 1999

   Acrylic · Paper

   100.0 x 94.5 cm

   Menzies · Mar 23, 2016 · Lot 19
   A$61,364≈ $46,380≈ £32,794≈ €41,518Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$50,000–65,000View at Menzies ↗
9. 
   Simpson Desert Meets the Void 2005, 2005

   Acrylic · Paper

   151.0 x 101.5 cm

   Menzies · Dec 10, 2015 · Lot 30
   A$64,432≈ $47,005≈ £31,078≈ €42,954Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$60,000–80,000View at Menzies ↗
10. 
    Desert and Orange Chats 1993, 1993

    Watercolor · Paper

    95.5 x 99.5 cm

    Smith & Singer · Nov 24, 2015 · Lot 69
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$40,000–50,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
11. 
    Horse in Carcour 1979, 1979

    Watercolor · Paper

    55 x 74.8 cm

    Smith & Singer · Oct 27, 2015 · Lot 143
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$4,000–6,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
12. 
    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 ↗
13. 
    Untitled (Camel) 2000, 2000

    Drawing · Paper

    44.0 x 42.0 cm

    Menzies · Sep 24, 2015 · Lot 76
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$5,000–7,000View at Menzies ↗
14. 
    Italian Kitchen 1999, 1999

    Pastel · Paper

    19.0 x 26.0 cm

    Menzies · Sep 24, 2015 · Lot 75
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$6,500–9,500View at Menzies ↗
15. 
    Desert Landscape and Marsupial Mice 1998, 1998

    Watercolor · Paper

    190.0 x 100.0 cm

    Menzies · Sep 24, 2015 · Lot 45
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$60,000–80,000View at Menzies ↗
16. 
    Harbour Tidal Pool 1993, 1993

    Watercolor · Paper

    100.0 x 190.0 cm

    Menzies · Sep 24, 2015 · Lot 30
    A$104,318≈ $72,623≈ £47,725≈ €64,606Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$90,000–120,000View at Menzies ↗
17. 
    Chasing the Rhino 1993, 1993

    Mixed media · Paper

    120.0 x 100.0 cm

    Menzies · Sep 24, 2015 · Lot 22
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$45,000–55,000View at Menzies ↗
18. 
    The Image Slides 1963, 1963

    Oil · Paper

    55.0 x 75.0 cm

    Menzies · Sep 24, 2015 · Lot 14
    A$18,409≈ $12,816≈ £8,422≈ €11,401Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$18,000–26,000View at Menzies ↗
19. 
    Mundoo

    Drawing · Paper

    22.5 x 29cm (each)

    Leonard Joel · Sep 15, 2015 · Lot 38
    A$3,500≈ $2,494≈ £1,619≈ €2,203Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$3,500–4,500View at Leonard Joel ↗
20. 
    Spoonbill and Lilypond II 1979, 1979

    Watercolor · Paper

    104 x 98.5 cm

    Smith & Singer · Aug 25, 2015 · Lot 36
    A$36,600≈ $26,424≈ £16,742≈ €22,965Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$30,000–40,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
21. 
    Cat 1969, 1969

    Pastel · Board

    55 x 74 cm

    Smith & Singer · Jul 21, 2015 · Lot 77
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$5,000–7,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
22. 
    Royal Spoonbill 1973, 1973

    Drawing · Paper

    34.0 x 26.5 cm

    Menzies · Mar 26, 2015 · Lot 240
    A$4,418≈ $3,465≈ £2,328≈ €3,158Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$2,000–3,000View at Menzies ↗
23. 
    Waterbird

    Watercolor · Paper

    79.0 x 104.5 cm

    Menzies · Mar 26, 2015 · Lot 28
    A$67,500≈ $52,944≈ £35,564≈ €48,249Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$50,000–60,000View at Menzies ↗
24. 
    Rhino

    Watercolor · Paper

    100.0 x 96.0 cm

    Menzies · Dec 11, 2014 · Lot 21
    A$39,273≈ $32,418≈ £20,677≈ €26,085Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$35,000–45,000View at Menzies ↗
25. 
    Lilypond, North Queensland 1983, 1983

    Watercolor · Paper

    54.0 x 74.0 cm

    Menzies · Dec 11, 2014 · Lot 11
    A$50,318≈ $41,535≈ £26,493≈ €33,420Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$30,000–40,000View at Menzies ↗
26. 
    Beckett Passing By 1992, 1992

    Drawing · ed. 11/15

    40.5 x 44.0 cm (irregular)

    Menzies · Sep 24, 2014 · Lot 477
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$1,500–2,000View at Menzies ↗
27. 
    Studio Cat 2003, 2003

    Drawing · Paper

    28.5 x 40.5 cm

    Menzies · Sep 24, 2014 · Lot 393
    A$4,173≈ $3,701≈ £2,258≈ €2,886Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$3,000–5,000View at Menzies ↗
28. 
    Man, Kangaroo and Landscape

    Mixed media · Paper

    78.5 x 58.5 cm

    Menzies · Sep 24, 2014 · Lot 293
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$8,000–10,000View at Menzies ↗
29. 
    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 ↗
30. 
    Emus & Windmills 1976, 1976

    Mixed media · Paper

    188.5 x 97.5 cm

    Menzies · Sep 24, 2014 · Lot 64
    A$110,455≈ $97,974≈ £59,758≈ €76,387Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$55,000–65,000View at Menzies ↗
31. 
    The Bathroom 1994, 1994

    Watercolor · Paper

    100.5 x 93 cm

    Smith & Singer · Aug 26, 2014 · Lot 70
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$35,000–45,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
32. 
    I Was a ...... For the F.B.I 1968, 1968

    Drawing · Paper

    44.5 x 36 cm

    Smith & Singer · Jul 29, 2014 · Lot 214
    A$1,220≈ $1,145≈ £676≈ €853Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$500–800View at Smith & Singer ↗
33. 
    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 ↗
34. 
    Echidna and Ant 1979, 1979

    Watercolor · Paper

    60.0 x 50.0 cm

    Menzies · Jul 24, 2014 · Lot 106
    A$18,409≈ $17,377≈ £10,218≈ €12,899Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$18,000–24,000View at Menzies ↗
35. 
    Myself, Eminent Scientist and Philosopher Viewing Sea Objects, 1973

    Watercolor

    41 x 50cm

    Leonard Joel · Dec 3, 2013 · Lot 54
    A$7,000≈ $6,391≈ £3,893≈ €4,707Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$7,000–9,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
36. 
    Georges Mora

    Oil · Paper

    76 x 56.5cm

    Leonard Joel · Dec 3, 2013 · Lot 49
    A$12,000≈ $10,955≈ £6,673≈ €8,068Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$14,000–18,000View at Leonard Joel ↗
37. 
    LUNCH AT HEIDE 1990, 1990

    Watercolor · Paper

    Smith & Singer · Nov 26, 2013 · Lot 12
    A$51,240≈ $46,709≈ £28,904≈ €34,479Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$35,000–45,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
38. 
    The Rookery, Lake Albert 1974, 1974

    Watercolor · Paper

    45.0 x 65.5 cm

    Menzies · Oct 31, 2013 · Lot 96
    A$24,000≈ $22,809≈ £14,217≈ €16,721HammerSign up free to seeEst. A$24,000–28,000View at Menzies ↗
39. 
    Frogs 2001, 2001

    Watercolor · Paper

    29.0 x 42.0 cm

    Menzies · Oct 31, 2013 · Lot 85
    A$12,000≈ $11,405≈ £7,108≈ €8,361HammerSign up free to seeEst. A$14,000–18,000View at Menzies ↗
40. 
    The Little River

    Watercolor · Paper

    99.0 x 121.0 cm

    Menzies · Oct 31, 2013 · Lot 28
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$48,000–58,000View at Menzies ↗
41. 
    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 ↗
42. 
    Tidal (Noosa) 1987, 1987

    Watercolor · Paper

    48.0 x 63.0 cm

    Menzies · May 21, 2013 · Lot 89
    A$14,727≈ $14,412≈ £9,511≈ €11,202Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$14,000–18,000View at Menzies ↗
43. 
    THE TRAVELLING PUPPET SHOW

    Watercolor · Paper

    Smith & Singer · May 14, 2013 · Lot 23
    A$51,240≈ $50,837≈ £33,227≈ €39,174Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$35,000–45,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
44. 
    Kangaroo Country 1968, 1968

    Oil · Paper

    56.0 x 74.0 cm

    Menzies · Dec 6, 2012 · Lot 75
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$12,000–16,000View at Menzies ↗
45. 
    Rydal - Grevilleas and Honeyeaters 1999, 1999

    Acrylic · Paper

    100.0 x 94.5 cm

    Menzies · Dec 6, 2012 · Lot 68
    A$49,091≈ $51,521≈ £31,979≈ €39,413Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$40,000–50,000View at Menzies ↗
46. 
    Sunbirds and Lily Pond

    Watercolor · Paper

    100.0 x 95.0 cm

    Menzies · Dec 6, 2012 · Lot 49
    A$82,227≈ $86,297≈ £53,564≈ €66,017Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$45,000–65,000View at Menzies ↗
47. 
    SWINGING MONKEY I 1982, 1982

    Watercolor

    Smith & Singer · Nov 20, 2012 · Lot 45
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$20,000–30,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
48. 
    THE FISH 1989, 1989

    Watercolor

    Smith & Singer · Nov 20, 2012 · Lot 13
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. A$30,000–40,000View at Smith & Singer ↗
49. 
    When the River Didn't Run - Quiet Music for Sunday 1989, 1989

    Mixed media · Paper

    152.0 x 102.0 cm

    Menzies · Sep 13, 2012 · Lot 96
    A$34,364≈ $35,904≈ £22,289≈ €27,811Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$30,000–40,000View at Menzies ↗
50. 
    Night Train to Lisbon 1966, 1966

    Pastel · Paper

    51.0 x 62.5 cm

    Menzies · Mar 22, 2012 · Lot 178
    A$12,273≈ $12,728≈ £8,055≈ €9,667Price realizedSign up free to seeEst. A$12,000–18,000View at Menzies ↗

Other media by John Olsen

PaintingsPrintsPhotographsSculptureOil PaintingsAcrylic PaintingsMixed MediaWatercolorsGouachesPastelsDrawingsEtchingsLithographs

All John Olsen auction results →