William Orpen Drawings: Auction Prices

1878–1931

William Orpen drawings have appeared at auction 160 times in ArtSell’s records between 2000 and 2026; 114 sold, a sell-through rate of 71%. The median price realised is $2kSign up free to see across 114 priced sales; the middle half sold for $1.2kSign up free to see–$2.9kSign up free to see. SEATED SEMI-NUDE GIRL holds the top price on file: $13.8kSign up free to see at Whyte's (November 2006). Most results come from Whyte's (126), Morgan O'Driscoll (28) and Toovey's (2).

Price chart & statistics for William Orpen →

All drawings results

1. 
   Self Portrait, London, 1922

   Drawing · Paper

   11 x 16cm (4.3 x 6.3in)

   Morgan O'Driscoll · May 22, 2023 · Lot 9
   €1,300≈ $1,407≈ £1,129HammerSign up free to seeView at Morgan O'Driscoll ↗
2. 
   Study of a Young Boy, 1911

   Drawing · Paper

   28 x 21½cm (11 x 8.5in)

   Morgan O'Driscoll · Apr 18, 2023 · Lot 84
   €1,800≈ $1,975≈ £1,587HammerSign up free to seeView at Morgan O'Driscoll ↗
3. 
   An Onlooker in France 1917-1919 With Artist's self portrait inside the cover

   Drawing

   24½ x 18cm (9.6 x 7.1in)

   Morgan O'Driscoll · Apr 18, 2023 · Lot 83
   €3,200≈ $3,511≈ £2,821HammerSign up free to seeView at Morgan O'Driscoll ↗
4. 
   COMING BACK SOON

   Drawing

   8 x 5¼in. (20.32 x 13.34cm)

   Whyte's · Apr 3, 2023 · Lot 48
   €1,000≈ $1,087≈ £878HammerSign up free to seeEst. €1,000–1,500View at Whyte's ↗
5. 
   Study of a Male Nude, 1896

   Drawing

   66 x 37.40cm (26 x 14.7in)

   Morgan O'Driscoll · Nov 1, 2022 · Lot 37
   Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. €10,000–15,000View at Morgan O'Driscoll ↗
6. 
   Study Of A Girl

   Drawing

   20.5 x 26.5cm

   Olympia Auctions · Oct 19, 2022 · Lot 100
   £700≈ $787≈ €805HammerSign up free to seeView at Olympia Auctions ↗
7. 
   ORPEN AT DRAWING BOARD [FACING RIGHT]

   Drawing

   5½ x 4¾in. (13.97 x 12.07cm)

   Whyte's · Jul 25, 2022 · Lot 153
   €750≈ $768≈ £636HammerSign up free to seeEst. €800–1,200View at Whyte's ↗
8. 
   LETTER TO GRACE WITH DINNER PARTY DRAWING

   Drawing

   12¼ x 9in. (31.12 x 22.86cm)

   Whyte's · Jun 6, 2022 · Lot 36
   €4,000≈ $4,290≈ £3,416HammerSign up free to seeEst. €2,000–3,000View at Whyte's ↗
9. 
   LOOKING TOWARDS THE TOWN, CANY

   Drawing

   10¼ x 9¼in. (26.04 x 23½cm)

   Whyte's · Jun 6, 2022 · Lot 35
   €3,200≈ $3,432≈ £2,733HammerSign up free to seeEst. €1,000–1,500View at Whyte's ↗
10. 
    THE NICHOLSON FAMILY [WILLIAM WITH MABEL PRYDE, BEN, NANCY AND CHRISTOPHER]

    Drawing

    4¾ x 5¼in. (12.07 x 13.34cm)

    Whyte's · Jun 6, 2022 · Lot 34
    €2,100≈ $2,252≈ £1,794HammerSign up free to seeEst. €800–1,200View at Whyte's ↗
11. 
    ORPEN AT DRAWING BOARD [FACING LEFT]

    Drawing

    6¼ x 5¾in. (15.88 x 14.61cm)

    Whyte's · Jun 6, 2022 · Lot 33
    €1,700≈ $1,823≈ £1,452HammerSign up free to seeEst. €800–1,200View at Whyte's ↗
12. 
    BOXERS

    Drawing

    12¼ x 8in. (31.12 x 20.32cm)

    Whyte's · Jun 6, 2022 · Lot 32
    €3,400≈ $3,647≈ £2,904HammerSign up free to seeEst. €2,500–3,500View at Whyte's ↗
13. 
    GENERAL VIEW OF THE COUNTY LOUTH

    Drawing

    9 x 7¼in. (22.86 x 18.42cm)

    Whyte's · Jun 6, 2022 · Lot 31
    €3,000≈ $3,218≈ £2,562HammerSign up free to seeEst. €1,500–2,000View at Whyte's ↗
14. 
    LAST DAY AT THE NIGHTMARE [LETTER TO GRACE]

    Drawing

    13 x 8in. (33.02 x 20.32cm)

    Whyte's · Jun 6, 2022 · Lot 30
    €3,800≈ $4,076≈ £3,246HammerSign up free to seeEst. €1,500–2,000View at Whyte's ↗
15. 
    LETTER WITH SELF PORTRAIT

    Drawing

    12¾ x 7¾in. (32.39 x 19.69cm)

    Whyte's · Jun 6, 2022 · Lot 29
    €4,000≈ $4,290≈ £3,416HammerSign up free to seeEst. €2,000–3,000View at Whyte's ↗
16. 
    ARTIST IN THE WIND [LETTER TO GRACE]

    Drawing

    13 x 8¼in. (33.02 x 20.96cm)

    Whyte's · Jun 6, 2022 · Lot 28
    €4,000≈ $4,290≈ £3,416HammerSign up free to seeEst. €2,000–3,000View at Whyte's ↗
17. 
    Portrait of Grace Orpen

    Drawing

    31 x 23cm (12.2 x 9.1in)

    Morgan O'Driscoll · Apr 26, 2022 · Lot 42
    €5,200≈ $5,550≈ £4,375HammerSign up free to seeView at Morgan O'Driscoll ↗
18. 
    Portrait of Grace Orpen (née Knewstub), c.1901

    Drawing · Paper

    23.80 x 15.80cm (9.4 x 6.2in)

    Morgan O'Driscoll · Apr 26, 2022 · Lot 32
    €3,400≈ $3,629≈ £2,861HammerSign up free to seeView at Morgan O'Driscoll ↗
19. 
    Young Girl

    Drawing · Paper

    23½ x 21½cm (9.3 x 8.5in)

    Morgan O'Driscoll · Mar 8, 2022 · Lot 38
    €2,100≈ $2,287≈ £1,747HammerSign up free to seeView at Morgan O'Driscoll ↗
20. 
    NUDE STUDIES WITH A SKETCH OF A HOUSE

    Drawing

    8½ x 7in. (21.59 x 17.78cm)

    Whyte's · Mar 7, 2022 · Lot 24
    €1,900≈ $2,070≈ £1,570HammerSign up free to seeEst. €800–1,200View at Whyte's ↗
21. 
    THE DEJECTED SUBJECT, A. W. PILLENY, 1926

    Drawing

    6 x 3¾in. (15.24 x 9.53cm)

    Whyte's · Mar 7, 2022 · Lot 23
    €2,100≈ $2,288≈ £1,735HammerSign up free to seeEst. €1,500–2,000View at Whyte's ↗
22. 
    Man Hanging from a Cliff

    Drawing · Paper

    18 x 23cm (7.1 x 9.1in)

    Morgan O'Driscoll · Jan 24, 2022 · Lot 49
    €1,500≈ $1,696≈ £1,257HammerSign up free to seeView at Morgan O'Driscoll ↗
23. 
    STROLLING PLAYERS (SET OF FIVE)

    Drawing

    7¾ x 5½in. (19.69 x 13.97cm)

    Whyte's · Sep 27, 2021 · Lot 12
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. €3,000–5,000View at Whyte's ↗
24. 
    Portrait of Sir Aston Webb PRA, 1921

    Drawing · Paper

    17½ x 11cm (6.9 x 4.3in)

    Morgan O'Driscoll · Jun 28, 2021 · Lot 38
    €1,900≈ $2,263≈ £1,628HammerSign up free to seeView at Morgan O'Driscoll ↗
25. 
    A Bearded Barbarian, 1912

    Drawing · Paper

    25½ x 20½cm (10 x 8.1in)

    Morgan O'Driscoll · Jun 8, 2020 · Lot 143
    €1,100≈ $1,241≈ £981HammerSign up free to seeView at Morgan O'Driscoll ↗
26. 
    AN ONLOOKER IN FRANCE 1917 - 1919

    Drawing

    10½ x 8 x 2in. (26.67 x 20.32 x 5.08cm)

    Whyte's · Mar 9, 2020 · Lot 20
    €1,050≈ $1,203≈ £918HammerSign up free to seeEst. €800–1,200View at Whyte's ↗
27. 
    NADINE'S COAT, BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON, DIEPPE

    Drawing

    10½ x 8in. (26.67 x 20.32cm)

    Whyte's · Dec 2, 2019 · Lot 18
    €2,300≈ $2,535≈ £1,960HammerSign up free to seeEst. €800–1,200View at Whyte's ↗
28. 
    BILL THE BRICKLAYER, 1922

    Drawing

    6¾ x 6¾in. (17.15 x 17.15cm)

    Whyte's · May 27, 2019 · Lot 31
    €2,600≈ $2,911≈ £2,294HammerSign up free to seeEst. €2,000–3,000View at Whyte's ↗
29. 
    PORTRAIT OF LEE HANKEY

    Drawing

    8 x 6in. (20.32 x 15.24cm)

    Whyte's · May 27, 2019 · Lot 29
    €2,000≈ $2,240≈ £1,764HammerSign up free to seeEst. €1,500–2,000View at Whyte's ↗
30. 
    THE ROYAL VISIT TO IRELAND, 1903

    Drawing

    9 x 6in. (22.86 x 15.24cm)

    Whyte's · Oct 2, 2017 · Lot 31
    €2,500≈ $2,936≈ £2,211HammerSign up free to seeEst. €1,000–1,500View at Whyte's ↗
31. 
    Study for The Holy Well

    Drawing

    64cm x 42cm

    Toovey's · Sep 6, 2017 · Lot 19
    £2,800≈ $3,654≈ €3,063HammerSign up free to seeView at Toovey's ↗
32. 
    Slade School Drawing

    Drawing

    22 x 17½cm (9 x 7in)

    Morgan O'Driscoll · Jun 19, 2017 · Lot 58
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. €800–1,200View at Morgan O'Driscoll ↗
33. 
    PORTRAIT OF LEE HANKEY

    Drawing

    8 x 6in. (20.32 x 15.24cm)

    Whyte's · May 29, 2017 · Lot 20
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. €2,000–3,000View at Whyte's ↗
34. 
    SELF PORTRAIT

    Drawing

    4 x 5in. (10.16 x 12.70cm)

    Whyte's · May 30, 2016 · Lot 104
    €620≈ $691≈ £472HammerSign up free to seeEst. €600–800View at Whyte's ↗
35. 
    LE JOUR DE LE NÉE DE WILLIAM, 27 NOVEMBER 1920 [THE ARTIST'S 42nd BIRTHDAY]

    Drawing · Board

    9¾ x 12½in. (24.77 x 31¾cm)

    Whyte's · May 30, 2016 · Lot 103
    €2,500≈ $2,785≈ £1,903HammerSign up free to seeEst. €1,000–1,500View at Whyte's ↗
36. 
    SURPRISE IN COLLEGE GREEN, DUBLIN

    Drawing

    10 x 12in. (25.40 x 30.48cm)

    Whyte's · May 25, 2015 · Lot 29
    €1,300≈ $1,427≈ £923HammerSign up free to seeEst. €1,200–1,500View at Whyte's ↗
37. 
    ORPEN AND GRACE

    Drawing

    7½ x 5in. (19.05 x 12.70cm)

    Whyte's · May 25, 2015 · Lot 28
    €1,300≈ $1,427≈ £923HammerSign up free to seeEst. €1,200–1,500View at Whyte's ↗
38. 
    THE RETURN

    Drawing

    10 x 7in. (25.40 x 17.78cm)

    Whyte's · May 25, 2015 · Lot 27
    €1,600≈ $1,756≈ £1,136HammerSign up free to seeEst. €1,000–1,500View at Whyte's ↗
39. 
    AT PARIS, 1924

    Drawing

    10.30 x 8.30in. (26.16 x 21.08cm

    Whyte's · Feb 23, 2015 · Lot 19
    €420≈ $475≈ £309HammerSign up free to seeEst. €500–700View at Whyte's ↗
40. 
    THE RETURN

    Drawing

    10 x 7in. (25.40 x 17.78cm)

    Whyte's · Nov 24, 2014 · Lot 24
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. €1,500–2,000View at Whyte's ↗
41. 
    A DREAM: I IMAGINE THAT DUBLIN HAS SEEN FIT TO HONOUR ME, c.1900

    Drawing

    9 x 7in. (22.86 x 17.78cm)

    Whyte's · Nov 24, 2014 · Lot 23
    €950≈ $1,179≈ £752HammerSign up free to seeEst. €1,000–1,500View at Whyte's ↗
42. 
    ARTIST PLAYING BILLIARDS AT PAULTONS, ROMSEY, HAMPSHIRE

    Drawing

    6 x 9.30in. (15.24 x 23.62cm)

    Whyte's · Nov 24, 2014 · Lot 21
    €1,500≈ $1,862≈ £1,187HammerSign up free to seeEst. €1,000–1,500View at Whyte's ↗
43. 
    STUDY OF MALE NUDES

    Drawing

    16 by 16in., 40 by 40cm.

    Whyte's · Sep 29, 2014 · Lot 34
    €2,600≈ $3,302≈ £2,035HammerSign up free to seeEst. €1,500–2,000View at Whyte's ↗
44. 
    ILLUSTRATED LETTER TO SIR HUGH LANE: PUZZLE FIND THE OWNER OF THE STUDIO (c.1906-1908)

    Drawing

    6.75 by 8.75in., 16.875 by 21.875cm.

    Whyte's · May 26, 2014 · Lot 30
    €750≈ $1,023≈ £607HammerSign up free to seeEst. €800–1,000View at Whyte's ↗
45. 
    MYSELF WALKING DOWN THE CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES DURING THE PEACE CONFERENCE [PARIS] 1919

    Drawing

    9.5 by 6.75in., 23.75 by 16.875cm.

    Whyte's · May 26, 2014 · Lot 29
    €850≈ $1,159≈ £688HammerSign up free to seeEst. €800–1,200View at Whyte's ↗
46. 
    MINIATURE SELF PORTRAIT, 1925 and HUGH LANE AND HIS PICTURES by Thomas Bodkin

    Drawing · Board

    2.5 by 3.75in., 6.25 by 9.375cm.

    Whyte's · Feb 24, 2014 · Lot 209
    €640≈ $879≈ £528HammerSign up free to seeEst. €600–800View at Whyte's ↗
47. 
    BORED STIFF again

    Drawing · Paper

    9.5 by 16in., 23.75 by 40cm.

    Whyte's · Sep 30, 2013 · Lot 31
    Unsold / did not meet reserveEst. €1,200–1,500View at Whyte's ↗
48. 
    WITHOUT PREJUDICE" - PENCIL SKETCH OF MAJOR RALPH WALTER MAUDE and ILLUSTRATED LETTER TO MAJOR MAUD, 1920 (A PAIR)"

    Drawing · Paper

    7.25 by 3.75in., 18.125 by 9.375cm.

    Whyte's · Sep 30, 2013 · Lot 30
    €4,000≈ $5,402≈ £3,344HammerSign up free to seeEst. €4,000–5,000View at Whyte's ↗
49. 
    NUDE, c.1900

    Drawing

    11 by 8.5in., 27.5 by 21.25cm.

    Whyte's · Mar 4, 2013 · Lot 98
    €750≈ $976≈ £648HammerSign up free to seeEst. €800–1,000View at Whyte's ↗
50. 
    SELF PORTRAIT [ AN ONLOOKER IN FRANCE 1917-1919 ]

    Drawing

    10.5 by 8.5in., 26.67 by 21.59cm.

    Whyte's · Nov 26, 2012 · Lot 57
    €1,300≈ $1,685≈ £1,053HammerSign up free to seeEst. €800–1,000View at Whyte's ↗

Other media by William Orpen

PaintingsWorks on PaperPrintsPhotographsOil PaintingsWatercolorsEtchings

All William Orpen auction results →