John Olsen Sold at Auction Prices

Sculptor, Painter, b. 1928 - d. 2023

Australian-born artist John Olsen was awarded an OBE in 1977 for services to the Arts. Throughout his career, abstract painter John Olsen has achieved many awards, and in 2001, was made Officer in the Order of Australia. Artist John Olsen uses an energetic and lyrical representation of the Australian landscape and wildlife, bringing his very personal view of the world into focus.

In 1968, Olsen set up the Bakery Art School, and ran it for two years. Olsen received a commissioned in 1970 to paint the Sydney Opera House mural, Salute to Five Bells, which was inspired by poet Kenneth Slessor. As more John Olsen abstract paintings for sale appeared, he became well-known for his exclusive creativity, and 1993 saw the Olsen Gallery established in Sydney. Indulge your Australian spirit by purchasing dynamic abstract paintings online and at auction.

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sold
Sep. 26, 2023
JOHN HENRY OLSEN (Australia 1928-2023), 'Spanish Paella', coloured offset lithograph, signed lower center and dated '07, 20 x 15 cm,
Est: $700 - $900
JOHN HENRY OLSEN (Australia 1928-2023), 'Spanish Paella', coloured offset lithograph, signed lower center and dated '07, 20 x 15 cm, framed 40 x 34 cm. Insert attached verso from Douglas Stewart Fine Art and Books.
Raffan Kelaher & Thomas
sold
Sep. 26, 2023
JOHN HENRY OLSEN (Australia 1928-2023), 'Frog', ink sketch on paper, signed upper centre twice, 25 x 15 cm, framed 43 x 39 cm.
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
JOHN HENRY OLSEN (Australia 1928-2023), 'Frog', ink sketch on paper, signed upper centre twice, 25 x 15 cm, framed 43 x 39 cm.
Raffan Kelaher & Thomas
sold
Sep. 25, 2023
JOHN OLSEN "Spring at Rydal"
Est: -
JOHN OLSEN (1928 - 2023)Limited Edition Print on Artist PaperHand Signed: Lower ImageTitled: Lower Centre (In Pencil)Editioned: Lower Left, Edition of 65Image Size: 46cm x 102cmPaper Size: 56cm x 112cmCondition: Excellent - NewUnframed.
Bargain Hunt Auctions
sold
Sep. 25, 2023
JOHN OLSEN "Paella Marinara"
Est: -
JOHN OLSEN (1928 - 2023)Limited Edition Digital Print on Artist PaperHand Signed: Lower Right (Hand Signed in Pencil)Titled: Lower Centre (In Pencil)Editioned: Lower Left - Edition of 35 (14/35 for Illustration)Image Size: 75cm x 82cmSheet Size: 87cm x 92cmEmbossed: Lower RightCondition: Excellent - NewUnframed.
Bargain Hunt Auctions
sold
Sep. 25, 2023
JOHN OLSEN "Low Tide, 2018"
Est: -
JOHN OLSEN (1928 - 2023)Limited Edition Archival Pigment Print on Artist PaperHand Signed: Lower RightEditioned: Lower Left - Edition of only 35 (Edition 2/35 shown for Illustration)Image Size: 75cm x 80cmSheet Size: 88cm x 91cmCondition: Excellent - NewUnframed.
Bargain Hunt Auctions
sold
Sep. 21, 2023
JOHN OLSEN (1928 - 2023) Frog bronze, ed. A/P h. 15, w. 6, d. 7 cm; base: 10 x 7.5 x 7.5 cm signed and editioned to base
Est: $15,000 - $25,000
JOHN OLSEN (1928 - 2023) Frog bronze, ed. A/P h. 15, w. 6, d. 7 cm; base: 10 x 7.5 x 7.5 cm signed and editioned to base
Lawsons
sold
Sep. 21, 2023
JOHN OLSEN (1928 - 2018) Giraffe and Balloon archival pigment print, ed. 93/99 80 x 60 cm (frame: 111 x 86 x 4 cm) signed lower right
Est: AUD2,500 - AUD3,500
JOHN OLSEN (1928 - 2018) Giraffe and Balloon archival pigment print, ed. 93/99 80 x 60 cm (frame: 111 x 86 x 4 cm) signed lower right
Lawsons
sold
Sep. 21, 2023
JOHN OLSEN (1928 - ) Night Train and Owls archival pigment print, ed. A/P 100 x 100 cm (frame: 130 x 129 x 4 cm) signed and editione...
Est: AUD2,500 - AUD3,500
JOHN OLSEN (1928 - ) Night Train and Owls archival pigment print, ed. A/P 100 x 100 cm (frame: 130 x 129 x 4 cm) signed and editioned to lower margin | limited print run commissioned by The Olsen Hotel
Lawsons
sold
Sep. 20, 2023
John Olsen (1928-2023) Echidna Smelling Flowers, 1978
Est: AUD800 - AUD1,200
etching on paper, edition: 24/40, numbered, titled, signed and dated below image '24/40 Echidna Smelling Flowers, John Olsen, '78'
Shapiro Auctioneers
sold
Sep. 20, 2023
John Olsen (1928-2023) Frogs
Est: $18,000 - $26,000
gouache, watercolour and pastel on paper, signed l.r.c. 'John Olsen'
Shapiro Auctioneers
sold
Sep. 19, 2023
JOHN OLSEN (born 1928) Tonga ink and watercolour on paper 35.5cm x 51cm (62cm x 77cm framed)
Est: AUD4,000 - AUD6,000
JOHN OLSEN (born 1928) Tonga ink and watercolour on paper signed and titled lower right: John / Olsen / Tonga 35.5cm x 51cm (62cm x 77cm framed) PROVENANCE: Cromwell's Auctions, Sydney, Australian & International Fine Art, 8 July 2003, lot 31
Leonard Joel
sold
Sep. 17, 2023
JOHN OLSEN (1928 - 2023)"LANDSCAPE WITH FIGURE"
Est: AUD3,000 - AUD7,000
Important mixed media pastel & watercolour on paper initialled lower right 40cm x 53 cm
Phillip Caldwell Auctioneers
sold
Sep. 15, 2023
John Olsen
Est: AUD150 - AUD200
Three books about John Olsen. All hardcovers in excellent condition. Includes: 1) Buns in the Oven: John Olsen's Bakery Art School by Schlunke. Thames and Hudson, 2016. 2) John Olsen: Drawing The Human Touchby McGregor. Macmillan Art, 2014. 3) Teeming with Life. John Olsen : his complete graphics 1957 - 2011by McGregor and Makin.
Sydney Rare Book Auctions
sold
Sep. 12, 2023
JOHN OLSEN (1928-2023), Scrub Turkeys 1984
Est: AUD1,000 - AUD1,500
JOHN OLSEN (1928-2023) Scrub Turkeys 1984 etching signed, titled, dated and edition on margin: John Olsen 84 / 'Scrub Turkey's' / AP 40 x 50.5 cm PROVEANCE Private collection, Melbourne LITERATURE Makin, J., McGregor. K., John Olsen Teeming with Life, Macmillan Art Publishing, Victoria, 2005, p. 99 (illus., another impression).
Gibson's Auctions
sold
Sep. 12, 2023
JOHN OLSEN (1928-2023), Indian Contemplation 1981
Est: AUD1,000 - AUD1,500
JOHN OLSEN (1928-2023) Indian Contemplation 1981 colour lithograph signed dated, titled and editioned on margin: John Olsen 81 "Indian Contemplation" 18/35 97.5 x 70.5cm LITERATURE Olsen, J and McGregor, K., Teeming with life: John Olsen: his complete graphics 1955-2011, Macmillan Education, South Yarra, Vic. p. 95 (illus.), 127
Gibson's Auctions
sold
Sep. 05, 2023
JOHN OLSEN, TREE FROG, 2012
Est: AUD8,000 - AUD12,000
JOHN OLSEN (1928 - 2023) TREE FROG, 2012 etching on paper 124.0 x 99.0 cm (sheet) 137.0 x 110.5cm (frame) edition: 8/20 signed, numbered and inscribed with title below image PROVENANCE Private collection, New South Wales RELATED WORK Tree Frog, 1973, lithograph, 76.0 x 57.0 cm, illus. in Teeming with Life: John Olsen; His Complete Graphics 1957-2005, Macmillan Art Publishing, Sydney, 2005, p. 256 © John Olsen/Copyright Agency 2023 This work is located in our Melbourne Gallery
Deutscher and Hackett
sold
Sep. 01, 2023
JOHN OLSEN (1928 - 2023) - Galah's against hillside archival pigment print, edition A/P 100 x 90 cm (frame: 131 x 120 x 3 cm)
Est: AUD2,500 - AUD3,500
JOHN OLSEN (1928 - 2023) Galah's against hillside archival pigment print, edition A/P 100 x 90 cm (frame: 131 x 120 x 3 cm) signed and editioned to lower margin - Printed under special arrangement with The Olsen Hotel
Lawsons
sold
Aug. 30, 2023
JOHN OLSEN (1928-2023), Tropical Rainshower 1978
Est: AUD1,200 - AUD1,800
JOHN OLSEN (1928-2023) Tropical Rainshower 1978 lithograph 57.0 x 76.0 cm (sheet) edition: 239/300 signed and dated lower right: John Olsen 78 numbered lower left: 239/300 titled lower centre: Tropical Rainshower published by Druckma Press, Melbourne (blindstamp lower right)
Menzies
sold
Aug. 30, 2023
JOHN OLSEN (1928-2023), The Leap 1975
Est: AUD1,200 - AUD1,800
JOHN OLSEN (1928-2023) The Leap 1975 etching 33.5 x 50.5 cm (image); 44.0 x 60.0 cm (sheet) edition: 14/50 signed and dated lower right: John Olsen 75 numbered lower left: 14/50 titled lower centre: 'the Leap'
Menzies
sold
Aug. 25, 2023
John Olsen
Est: AUD120 - AUD180
The Land Beyond Time: A Modern Exploration of Australia's North West frontiers by John Olsen, Mary Durack, Geoffrey Dutton, Vincent Serventy and Alex Bortignon, published by Macmillan Co of Australia 1984, red title and gecko image on black hardcover with dust wrapper, very good copy
Sydney Rare Book Auctions
sold
Aug. 23, 2023
JOHN OLSEN 1928-2023 Desert and Orange Chats 1993 watercolour and pastel on paper 95.5 x 99.5 cm
Est: $40,000 - $60,000
JOHN OLSEN 1928-2023 Desert and Orange Chats 1993 watercolour and pastel on paper signed and dated and inscribed 'Desert & / Orange Chats / John Olsen 93' lower left 95.5 x 99.5 cm PROVENANCE John Olsen, New South Wales Australian and European Paintings, Leonard Joel, Melbourne, 22 November 1994, lot 30A Private Collection, Launceston Fine Australian & International Paintings, Sotheby's Australia, Sydney, 25 August 2002, lot 57, illustrated Private Collection, Sydney, acquired from the above Modern & Contemporary, Deutscher and Hackett, Melbourne, 13 June 2018, lot 12, illustrated Private Collection, Melbourne, acquired from the above
Smith & Singer
sold
Aug. 23, 2023
JOHN OLSEN 1928-2023 The Coorong 2006 oil on composition board 90.5 x 92 cm
Est: $70,000 - $90,000
JOHN OLSEN 1928-2023 The Coorong 2006 oil on composition board signed and dated 'John Olsen 06' lower right; signed, dated and inscribed 'The Coorong / John / Olsen / 06' verso 90.5 x 92 cm PROVENANCE John Olsen, New South Wales Metro 5 Gallery, Melbourne Private Collection, Melbourne, acquired from the above on 16 March 2006 EXHIBITED John Olsen: The Coorong - Unfinished Journey, Metro 5 Gallery, Melbourne, 6 September - 1 October 2006, illustrated LITERATURE Ken McGregor, John Olsen: The Coorong - Unfinished Journey, Metro 5 Gallery, Melbourne, 2006, n.p. (illustrated) Jenny Zimmer and Ken McGregor, John Olsen: Journeys in the 'You Beaut Country', Macmillan, Melbourne, 2007, pp. 290-291 (illustrated), 316 Jenny Zimmer and Ken McGregor, John Olsen: Journeys in the 'You Beaut Country' (rev. ed.), Thames & Hudson, Melbourne, 2016, pp. 290-291 (illustrated), 340
Smith & Singer
sold
Aug. 23, 2023
JOHN OLSEN 1928-2023 Frog Pond 2003 oil on canvas 91.5 x 76 cm
Est: AUD45,000 - AUD65,000
JOHN OLSEN 1928-2023 Frog Pond 2003 oil on canvas signed 'John / Olsen 03' lower right; signed, dated and inscribed '2003 'FROG Pond' John Olsen' verso (on stretcher) 91.5 x 76 cm PROVENANCE John Olsen, New South Wales Metro 5 Gallery, Melbourne Private Collection, Melbourne, acquired from the above EXHIBITED John Olsen at Metro 5, Metro 5 Gallery, Melbourne, 30 April - 18 May 2003, uncatalogued We gratefully acknowledge the kind assistance of Kylie Norton in cataloguing this work.
Smith & Singer
sold
Aug. 20, 2023
OLSEN John (1928-2023), 'Aboriginal Education', Ink & Pastel, 56x38cm (sheet)
Est: AUD5,000 - AUD7,000
OLSEN, John (1928-2023) 'Aboriginal Education' Ink & Pastel 56x38cm (sheet) PROVENANCE: Collection of Augustus Firestone, grandson of the artist.
Davidson Auctions