Oliver Smith Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Oliver Smith Art Value Price Guide

Jun. 18, 2026
Oliver Smith, (1918-1994), Show curtain for In The Summerhouse. 1947.
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
Oliver Smith (1918-1994) Show curtain for In The Summerhouse. 1947. Gouache on paper. Signed and dated in lower right. Title inscribed in lower left, "Show curtain 'In the Summerhouse' by Jane Bowles." Inscribed, "For Libby, with love, Oliver" in lower right. Inscribed on frame, verso, "For Libby [Holman], all my love, Oliver. Christmas 1948." Libby Holman was an American socialite, actress, singer, and activist. Production: Set design for the Broadway play, In the Summerhouse, Playhouse Theatre, December 29, 1953-February 13, 1954.
Swann Auction Galleries
Feb. 21, 2026
Oliver Smith, American (1918 - 1994), Felice Aquaduct, Rome, watercolor on paper, 6 1/2"H x 9 1/2"W(sight), 10 1/4"H x 13 1/4"W(frame)
Est: $300 - $500
Oliver Smith American, (1918 - 1994) Felice Aquaduct, Rome watercolor on paper "From the estate of Oliver Smith, Kintnersville, PA", and titled verso. Oliver Smith Set Designer Winner of eight Tony Awards, five Donaldson Awards, New York City's Handel Medallion and numerous other honors, Oliver Smith (1918-1994) was the twentieth century's most decorated American set designer. His scenic designs for musical comedy spanned a golden age on Broadway from the 40s through the 70s, including My Fair Lady, Hello, Dolly!, West Side Story, Brigadoon, Camelot, The Sound of Music, and over sixty others. His designs for the dance included Rodeo, Fall River Legend, Fancy Free and Les Noces (and many others for American Ballet Theatre, which he co-produced for forty years with Lucia Chase). His films included Band Wagon, Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma! and Porgy and Bess, and his opera designs filled the stages of the Metropolitan and New York City Operas. Oliver Smith was born in Waupun, Wisconsin, and moved to Pennsylvania and New York while still a boy. His parents encouraged an early interest in theatre and opera, and while Smith had originally intended to become a playwright, he began painting in undergraduate school and moved to New York City after graduating from college in 1939. During this first year in New York City, Smith's watercolors were exhibited in both Brooklyn and Manhattan. When little sold, he created a theatre design portfolio and set about breaking into show business. It was a field uniquely suited to his talents, as his sensitivity to the sculpting of space made for scenic designs that were both beautiful and tailored to the practical needs of individual productions. In 1941, Smith's professional debut for Massine's ballet Saratoga was hailed by a New York critic as a breakthrough in American scenic design. Agnes DeMille's Rodeo followed in 1942, and On the Town and Fancy Free (with Jerome Robbins and Leonard Bernstein) in 1944. Smith's scenery won raves for each, launching a career in design for theatre, ballet, opera and film. Throughout this career, Oliver Smith's work blended a distinctly American painting style with the choreographed grace of his moving scenery, creating designs that earned accolades around the world.
Ripley Auctions
Oct. 27, 2023
Oliver Smith's Works & History of Earth and Nature
Est: $50 - $150
"A History of the Earth and Animated Nature" by Oliver Goldsmith. The binding has an attempted repair. And another book "The Works of Oliver Smith". Date could not be found in the books but likely 19th Century. Spines have loss. (From the direct descendants of Baynard & Mary Gibson Henry. Both were prominent figures and contributors in Philadelphia. Mary Gibson Henry was a notable botanist and her plant collections were the first in creation of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University in Philadelphia.)
Keystone Auctions LLC
Dec. 15, 2019
Oliver Smith, American (1918-1994) Watercolor
Est: $100 - $150
Oliver Smith, American (1918-1994) Watercolor Boats at Harbor. Provenance from a Long Island, NY Home. Generally Good Condition. Dimensions- Sight- 23" x 30". Frame- 33" x 41".
World Auction Gallery
Nov. 16, 2019
OLIVER SMITH (AMERICAN, 1918-1994) OKLAHOMA Watercolor on paper: 13 1/4 x 23 1/2 in. (sight)
Est: $800 - $1,200
OLIVER SMITH (AMERICAN, 1918-1994) OKLAHOMA Watercolor on paper: 13 1/4 x 23 1/2 in. (sight) Framed; lower right inscribed, signed and dated: Oklahoma Oliver Smith '58; verso label: "Oklahoma" (Broadway) Act II Judd Scene / Sketch by Oliver Smith
Potomack Company
May. 04, 2019
Oliver Phelps Smith Lake Landscape Painting
Est: $200 - $300
Connecticut, New York,1867-1953 Impressionist work depicting a small pond nestled within a New York forest with Fall foliage.
Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers
May. 04, 2019
Oliver Smith Long Pond Bay Landscape Painting
Est: $200 - $300
Connecticut, New York,1867-1953 Naturalist work depicting four slender trees on the bank of Long Pond in Bay Ridge, Long Island, New York with a forested background. Notice the reflection of evergreen trees on the water's surface.
Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers
Jan. 29, 2019
OLIVER SMITH WATERCOLOR FISHERMEN ON BOAT. SIGNED
Est: $80 - $120
OLIVER SMITH Watercolor Fishermen on Boat. Signed. Rockport 1946.-- Dimensions: H: 15.5 inches: W: 22.25 inches ---
Uniques & Antiques
Jun. 02, 2018
Oliver Smith watercolor Float Fishing Maine, Noon Rest
Est: $200 - $400
Smith, Oliver (American 1896-1980), Float Fishing Maine, Noon Rest, watercolor, signed lower left, 20 x 28 inches, painted in the manner of Ogden Pleissner, Oliver Smith was born in Lynn, MA. Studied at Rhode Island School of Design. Recipient of Traveling scholarship. Studied in London, Paris. Student of Charles Hawthorne, Provincetown, MA. Paintings in private collections and museums - University of Florida. Exhibited : Philadelphia Watercolor Club, National Academy of Design, Smithsonian Institution, Watercolor Society. Member : Philadelphia Watercolor Society, Florida Artists Group, Inc., Rockport Art Association, North Shore Arts Association, Copley Society of Boston. framed in a gilded wood frame and triple mats measuring 25 x 36 inches
Concept Art Gallery
Mar. 19, 2017
Oliver Smith (American, 1918-1994) New York City Skyline, 1939 Watercolor and pe
Est: $600 - $800
Oliver Smith (American, 1918-1994) New York City Skyline, 1939 Watercolor and pencil on paper 13-1/4 x 18-1/2 inches (33.7 x 47.0 cm) Signed and dated twice along lower edge: Smith '39 / Oliver Smith '41 Signed and inscribed on verso: Dear Pattie, / Happy Birthday, 1941 - June 23,- / Here's hoping you won't forget / New York - the best always / look at this and remember how / I [....] at Wath St. / Savingly your friend / Oliver PROVENANCE: Private collection, Northern California; Bonhams, San Francisco, California, August 15, 2010, lot 5098; Acquired by the present owner from the above. Renown as one of the most prolific and imaginative designers in the history of the American theater, Oliver Smith designed dozens of Broadway musicals, films (Guys and Dolls, The Band Wagon, Oklahoma! Porgy and Bess), and operas (La Traviata). He was also co-Director of the American Ballet Theater, designing the sets for ABT's complete 1967 production of Swan Lake, the first full-length version mounted by an American company. Throughout his career, Smith was nominated for twenty-five Tony Awards, often multiple times in the same year, and won ten. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Art direction for his work on Guys and Dolls. New York Skyline is a rare example of one of Smith's watercolors to come to market. HID04901242017
Heritage Auctions
Feb. 07, 2015
OLIVER SMITH (American, 1918-1994)
Est: $300 - $500
OLIVER SMITH (American, 1918-1994), mountain landscape, watercolor, signed and dated 59 lower right, inscription below image ''For dear Freddy, Happy Birthday, -Oliver''. 13-1/2''h, 21''w. Provenance: Estate of Forrest Bonshire, Setauket, N.Y.
South Bay Auctions Inc
Dec. 08, 2013
Oliver Smith Seascape Watercolor on Paper
Est: $200 - $300
Oliver Smith (1918 - 1994, America), watercolor on paper, wet on wet technique, depicting a cluster of houses high above the sea. Signed on the face by the artist and housed in a 22 1/4h x 28 1/4"l frame. Smith, studied at the Rhode Island School of Design, became a well known set designer and stained glass maker. He spent his summer painting the sea at Rockport and remote parts of Maine, (The Evening Independent, Jan 25, 1947).
Rare-Era
Feb. 26, 2012
Oliver Smith, American, 1918-1994, Stage design of burning buildings and fire engine, watercolor and gouache on paper, framed
Est: $500 - $700
Oliver Smith American, 1918-1994 Stage design of burning buildings and fire engine watercolor and gouache on paper signed and dated "Oliver Smith, '41" lr 14 1/2 x 21 1/2 in., framed
Alex Cooper
Aug. 15, 2010
Oliver Smith (American, 1918-1994) New York City skyline 13 1/4 x 18 3/4in
Est: $1,000 - $1,200
New York City skyline signed and dated 'Smith '39' (lower left) and signed and dated 'Oliver Smith '41' (lower right) and signed and inscribed 'Dear Portie, / Happy Birthday; 1941 - June 23 - / Here's hoping you won't forget / New York - The best always - / Look at this and remember how / I froze at Water St. / Lovingly your friend / Oliver' (on the reverse) watercolor and pencil on paper 13 1/4 x 18 3/4in
Bonhams
Apr. 18, 2010
Oliver Smith (American, 1918-1994) New York City skyline 13 1/4 x 18 3/4in
Est: $1,200 - $1,800
New York City skyline signed and dated 'Smith '39' (lower left) and signed and dated 'Oliver Smith '41' (lower right) and signed and inscribed 'Dear Portie, / Happy Birthday; 1941 - June 23 - / Here's hoping you won't forget / New York - The best always - / Look at this and remember how / I froze at Water St. / Lovingly your friend / Oliver' (on the reverse) watercolor and pencil on paper 13 1/4 x 18 3/4in
Bonhams