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. 
   PORTRAIT OF A LADY

   Drawing · Paper

   7.25 by 4.75in., 18 by 12cm.

   Whyte's · Oct 1, 2012 · Lot 71
   €2,600≈ $3,348≈ £2,076HammerSign up free to seeEst. €2,000–3,000View at Whyte's ↗
2. 
   SIR WILLIAM ARMSTRONG READING, 1925

   Drawing

   24 by 18cm., 9.5 by 7in.

   Whyte's · Nov 28, 2011 · Lot 16
   €1,200≈ $1,602≈ £1,030HammerSign up free to seeEst. €800–1,200View at Whyte's ↗
3. 
   STUDY FOR SWINTON FAMILY PORTRAIT, circa 1901

   Drawing

   17 by 19cm., 6.5 by 7.5in.

   Whyte's · Oct 10, 2011 · Lot 38
   €500≈ $680≈ £434HammerSign up free to seeEst. €500–700View at Whyte's ↗
4. 
   I GO TO THE RACES, 19 APRIL 1919

   Drawing

   30 by 19cm., 12 by 7.5in.

   Whyte's · Oct 4, 2010 · Lot 73
   €1,300≈ $1,782≈ £1,125HammerSign up free to seeEst. €1,000–View at Whyte's ↗
5. 
   MALE AND FEMALE NUDE STUDIES - DOUBLE SIDED

   Drawing · Paper

   42 by 28cm., 16.5 by 11in.

   Whyte's · Mar 2, 2009 · Lot 174
   €1,300≈ $1,637≈ £1,161HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
6. 
   EIGHT LETTERS TO GEORGE FLETCHER, 1909-15

   Drawing · Paper

   36 by 25cm., 14 by 10in.

   Whyte's · May 17, 2008 · Lot 459
   €3,600≈ $5,579≈ £2,865HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
7. 
   BUT WHEN HE WENT BACK TO COLLEGE

   Drawing · Paper

   25 by 20cm., 10 by 8in.

   Whyte's · Feb 25, 2008 · Lot 100
   €1,500≈ $2,223≈ £1,131HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
8. 
   THE BARONESS CAN USE HER EYES TO KEEP ANY POOR SIMPLE SOUL GUESSING

   Drawing · Paper

   22 by 18cm., 8.75 by 7in.

   Whyte's · Feb 25, 2008 · Lot 99
   €1,500≈ $2,223≈ £1,131HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
9. 
   SLADE SCHOOL STUDY

   Drawing

   22 by 26cm., 8.5 by 10.2 5in.

   Whyte's · Feb 25, 2008 · Lot 98
   Unsold / did not meet reserveView at Whyte's ↗
10. 
    STUDIES FOR SLADE SCHOOL COMPOSITIONS (SET OF THREE)

    Drawing

    22 by 18cm., 8.5 by 7in.

    Whyte's · Feb 25, 2008 · Lot 97
    €1,800≈ $2,667≈ £1,357HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
11. 
    A PERILOUS SITUATION

    Drawing

    28 by 19cm., 11 by 7.5in.

    Whyte's · Feb 25, 2008 · Lot 96
    €2,400≈ $3,556≈ £1,809HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
12. 
    THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE

    Drawing · Paper

    32 by 20cm., 12.7 by 8in.

    Whyte's · Dec 15, 2007 · Lot 245
    Unsold / did not meet reserveView at Whyte's ↗
13. 
    MRS ST GEORGE WITH HAT

    Drawing · Paper

    17 by 21cm., 6.5 by 8.25in.

    Whyte's · Dec 15, 2007 · Lot 244
    Unsold / did not meet reserveView at Whyte's ↗
14. 
    THE DUCHESS OF WELLINGTON

    Drawing · Paper

    25 by 20cm., 9.75 by 8in.

    Whyte's · Dec 15, 2007 · Lot 243
    Unsold / did not meet reserveView at Whyte's ↗
15. 
    NEW YEARS GREETING FOR 1909 - PUTTI AND WREATHS

    Drawing · Paper

    25 by 20cm., 9.75 by 8in.

    Whyte's · Dec 15, 2007 · Lot 242
    Unsold / did not meet reserveView at Whyte's ↗
16. 
    AN ACCIDENT: COMING OFF A BIKE

    Drawing · Paper

    17 by 20cm., 6.5 by 8in.

    Whyte's · Dec 15, 2007 · Lot 241
    Unsold / did not meet reserveView at Whyte's ↗
17. 
    THE PEEVISH YOUNG BOY OF CLONSILLA

    Drawing · Paper

    25 by 20cm., 9.75 by 8in.

    Whyte's · Dec 15, 2007 · Lot 240
    €1,500≈ $2,176≈ £1,074HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
18. 
    THAT DEAR LITTLE GIRL CALLED POPPY

    Drawing · Paper

    25 by 20cm., 9.75 by 8in.

    Whyte's · Nov 26, 2007 · Lot 118
    €1,500≈ $2,227≈ £1,077HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
19. 
    NOW WOPPY IS BUT A BEGINNER

    Drawing

    25 by 20cm., 10 by 8in.

    Whyte's · Nov 26, 2007 · Lot 117
    €1,500≈ $2,227≈ £1,077HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
20. 
    A BEARDED BARBARIAN, 1912

    Drawing · Paper

    26 by 21cm., 10.2 by 8.25in.

    Whyte's · May 26, 2007 · Lot 186
    €900≈ $1,210≈ £610HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
21. 
    THE SKELETON MAN

    Drawing · Paper

    25 by 20cm., 10 by 8in.

    Whyte's · May 26, 2007 · Lot 185
    Unsold / did not meet reserveView at Whyte's ↗
22. 
    MYSELF AS I ARRIVED IN THE STUDIO, circa 1909

    Drawing · Paper

    25 by 20cm., 10 by 8in.

    Whyte's · May 26, 2007 · Lot 184
    Unsold / did not meet reserveView at Whyte's ↗
23. 
    ORPEN PLEADING WITH SARGENT, 1907

    Drawing · Paper

    22 by 18cm., 8.75 by 7in.

    Whyte's · May 26, 2007 · Lot 183
    Unsold / did not meet reserveView at Whyte's ↗
24. 
    NEW YEAR LETTER FRAGMENT, 1907-08

    Drawing · Paper

    17 by 20cm., 6.5 by 8in.

    Whyte's · May 26, 2007 · Lot 182
    €800≈ $1,075≈ £542HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
25. 
    SELF PORTRAIT WITH BIDDY FOSTER, circa 1907

    Drawing · Paper

    22 by 18cm., 8.75 by 7in.

    Whyte's · May 26, 2007 · Lot 181
    Unsold / did not meet reserveView at Whyte's ↗
26. 
    BORED STIFF AGAIN

    Drawing · Paper

    24 by 41cm., 9.5 by 16in.

    Whyte's · May 26, 2007 · Lot 180
    €1,500≈ $2,016≈ £1,016HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
27. 
    HARD AT WORK, circa 1907-09

    Drawing · Paper

    22 by 25cm., 8.75 by 10in.

    Whyte's · May 26, 2007 · Lot 179
    Unsold / did not meet reserveView at Whyte's ↗
28. 
    AN ILLUSTRATED LETTER WITH ASQUITH'S PORTRAIT, 1909

    Drawing · Paper

    25 by 20cm., 10 by 8in.

    Whyte's · Apr 30, 2007 · Lot 98
    €1,900≈ $2,585≈ £1,297HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
29. 
    I MEET MY FATE, circa 1912

    Drawing · Paper

    20 by 17cm., 8 by 6.5in.

    Whyte's · Apr 30, 2007 · Lot 97
    Unsold / did not meet reserveView at Whyte's ↗
30. 
    IN THE SEA WITH POPPY, circa 1907-12

    Drawing · Paper

    32 by 21cm., 12.7 5 by 8.25in.

    Whyte's · Apr 30, 2007 · Lot 96
    €1,900≈ $2,585≈ £1,297HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
31. 
    THE BATHTUB, circa 1908-09

    Drawing · Paper

    20 by 16cm., 8 by 6.25in.

    Whyte's · Apr 30, 2007 · Lot 95
    €1,900≈ $2,585≈ £1,297HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
32. 
    IN CORRECT PROPORTION TO EACH OTHER, circa 1907-12

    Drawing · Paper

    23 by 18cm., 9 by 7in.

    Whyte's · Apr 30, 2007 · Lot 94
    Unsold / did not meet reserveView at Whyte's ↗
33. 
    WHEN THE SITTING STOPS AT 21, NORFOLK STREET, circa 1908

    Drawing · Paper

    20 by 17cm., 8 by 6.5in.

    Whyte's · Apr 30, 2007 · Lot 93
    Unsold / did not meet reserveView at Whyte's ↗
34. 
    FROM SOMEWHERE ABOVE THE FIREPLACE, circa 1907-1912

    Drawing · Paper

    25 by 20cm., 10 by 8in.

    Whyte's · Apr 30, 2007 · Lot 92
    Unsold / did not meet reserveView at Whyte's ↗
35. 
    HOW PRIME MINISTERS ARE PAINTED, 1909

    Drawing · Paper

    25 by 20cm., 10 by 8in.

    Whyte's · Apr 30, 2007 · Lot 91
    €1,700≈ $2,313≈ £1,161HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
36. 
    WALKING DOWN THE AVENUE DES CHAMPS ELYSEES, 1919

    Drawing

    24 by 18cm., 9.5 by 7in.

    Whyte's · Apr 30, 2007 · Lot 87
    €3,200≈ $4,354≈ £2,185HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
37. 
    HERBERT EVERETT

    Drawing · Paper

    29 by 22cm., 11.2 5 by 8.75in.

    Whyte's · Feb 19, 2007 · Lot 83
    €2,600≈ $3,414≈ £1,755HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
38. 
    "WITHOUT PREJUDICE" - PENCIL SKETCH OF MAJOR RALPH WALTER MAUDE and ILLUSTRATED LETTER TO MAJOR MAUD, 1920 (A PAIR)

    Drawing · Paper

    18 by 10cm., 7.25 by 3.75in.

    Whyte's · Feb 19, 2007 · Lot 63
    €5,200≈ $6,829≈ £3,511HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
39. 
    SEATED SEMI-NUDE GIRL

    Drawing · Paper

    29 by 23cm., 11.2 5 by 9in.

    Whyte's · Nov 28, 2006 · Lot 99
    €10,500≈ $13,804≈ £7,101HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
40. 
    STUDY FOR SWINTON FAMILY PORTRAIT, circa 1901

    Drawing

    17 by 19cm., 6.5 by 7.5in.

    Whyte's · May 27, 2006 · Lot 137
    €850≈ $1,088≈ £582HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
41. 
    PORTRAIT OF STANLEY AUSTIN

    Drawing · Board

    17 by 11cm., 6.5 by 4.25in.

    Whyte's · Nov 29, 2005 · Lot 61
    Unsold / did not meet reserveView at Whyte's ↗
42. 
    ILLUSTRATED LETTER TO STANLEY AUSTIN: "TWO LITTLE EARS"

    Drawing · Paper

    27 by 21cm., 10.5 by 8.25in.

    Whyte's · Nov 29, 2005 · Lot 59
    Unsold / did not meet reserveView at Whyte's ↗
43. 
    ILLUSTRATED LETTER TO STANLEY AUSTIN: THE SIX FOOT JUMP

    Drawing · Paper

    27 by 21cm., 10.5 by 8.25in.

    Whyte's · Nov 29, 2005 · Lot 58
    Unsold / did not meet reserveView at Whyte's ↗
44. 
    BILLY ORPEN DRAWS AT AN EARLY AGE IN DUBLIN

    Drawing · Paper

    25 by 18cm., 10 by 7in.

    Whyte's · Nov 29, 2005 · Lot 57
    Unsold / did not meet reserveView at Whyte's ↗
45. 
    FIGURES HARVESTING, NORMANDY, circa 1899-1904

    Drawing · Paper

    19 by 37cm., 7.5 by 14.5in.

    Whyte's · Sep 20, 2005 · Lot 71
    Unsold / did not meet reserveView at Whyte's ↗
46. 
    STUDY FOR SWINTON FAMILY PORTRAIT, circa 1901

    Drawing

    17 by 19cm., 6.5 by 7.5in.

    Whyte's · Sep 20, 2005 · Lot 70
    Unsold / did not meet reserveView at Whyte's ↗
47. 
    LETTER TO TILLY WITH SELF-PORTRAIT, circa 1907

    Drawing · Paper

    24 by 17cm., 9.5 by 6.5in.

    Whyte's · Sep 21, 2004 · Lot 153
    €4,000≈ $4,910≈ £2,733HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
48. 
    SELF-PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST SIGNING A BOOK

    Drawing · Paper

    22 by 17cm., 8.5 by 6.75in.

    Whyte's · Sep 21, 2004 · Lot 152
    €3,200≈ $3,928≈ £2,187HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
49. 
    CANY AT THE FIRST

    Drawing · Paper

    25 by 20cm., 10 by 8in.

    Whyte's · Apr 27, 2004 · Lot 54
    €8,000≈ $9,510≈ £5,310HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗
50. 
    PORTRAIT OF GRACE WESTRAY

    Drawing · Paper

    32 by 25cm., 12.5 by 9.75in.

    Whyte's · Apr 27, 2004 · Lot 53
    €4,000≈ $4,755≈ £2,655HammerSign up free to seeView at Whyte's ↗

Other media by William Orpen

PaintingsWorks on PaperPrintsPhotographsOil PaintingsWatercolorsEtchings

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