John (1778) Varley Paintings & Artwork for Sale | John (1778) Varley Art Value Price Guide

Aug. 20, 2026
JOHN VARLEY (1778-1842) BAMBURGH CASTLE FROM THE BEACH WITH FIGURES AND VESSELS
Est: £300 - £500
JOHN VARLEY (1778-1842) BAMBURGH CASTLE FROM THE BEACH WITH FIGURES AND VESSELS Signed and dated 1811 (or 1816) Watercolour Provenance: With Walker Galleries, London (label verso) Christies stencil verso no. 445RZ. White chalk mark possibly for Sothebys dated 17th June (19)69 Private Collection, North Yorkshire. (21cm x 67cm)
Elstob Auctioneers
Jul. 08, 2026
John Varley, OWS, British 1778-1842- Two landscape views:
Est: £300 - £400
John Varley, OWS, British 1778-1842- Two landscape views: View of figures by a lake, a castle in the distance; and View of figures walking down a country path, a church tower beyond; the first pencil, brown ink, and wash on paper, the second pencil on paper, the second signed and dated 'J. Varley. 1825' (lower right), the first 11.5 x 20 cm., the second 15.2 x 22.6 cm., two (2), (part mounted / unframed). Provenance: (the first) with Abbott & Holder, London [no.46864]. (the second) with Alexandra Williams, London. (both) Private Collection, UK. Note: Varley was a prolific watercolourist and a close friend of William Blake (1757-1827). He was an influential figure in the development of watercolour painting in Britain, as one of the founders of the 'Old Watercolour Society' in 1805, and also instructed a number of significant watercolourists in the generation to follow, including John Linnell (1792-1882), David Cox (1783-1859), Copley Fielding (1787-1855), and William Turner of Oxford (1789-1862).
Roseberys
Jul. 08, 2026
John Varley, OWS, British 1778-1842- Oystermouth Castle,
Est: £300 - £400
John Varley, OWS, British 1778-1842- Oystermouth Castle, Swansea, Wales; pencil and watercolour heightened with scratching out and gum arabic on paper, 12.5 x 19.5 cm. Provenance: with William Permain, London. Anon. sale, Christie's, London, 23 October 2012, lot 309 (£875). Private Collection, UK. Note: Varley was a prolific watercolourist and a close friend of William Blake (1757-1827). He was an influential figure in the development of watercolour painting in Britain, as one of the founders of the 'Old Watercolour Society' in 1805, and also instructed a number of significant watercolourists in the generation to follow, including John Linnell (1792-1882), David Cox (1783-1859), Copley Fielding (1787-1855), and William Turner of Oxford (1789-1862). Oystermouth Castle is a Norman stone castle in Wales, overlooking Swansea Bay on the east side of the Gower Peninsula in the village of Mumbles.
Roseberys
Jul. 07, 2026
John Varley (British, 1778-1842) View of Snowdon
Est: £200 - £300
John Varley (British, 1778-1842) View of Snowdon watercolour Unframed: 16 x 25 cm. (6 1/4 x 10 in.) Framed: 37 x 44 cm. (14 1.2 x 17 1/4 in.) Provenance: Caroline Stroude, London Private collection, London
Chiswick Auctions
May. 13, 2026
John Varley O.W.S. (British, 1778-1842),
Est: £300 - £500
John Varley O.W.S. (British, 1778-1842), Boys Fishing under a Bridge, possibly at Bridgnorth, signed l.l., watercolour with scratching out, 24.5 by 33.6cm, framed. Provenance: with Thomas Agnew & Sons, London, Cat No.39
Kinghams Auctioneers
Apr. 16, 2026
John Varley (British, 1778-1842), Evening composition
Est: £200 - £400
John Varley (British, 1778-1842) Evening composition, figures in a landscape Watercolour and pencil on paper Signed 'J. Varley' lower right With inscriptions verso Dimensions: (Frame) 14.5 in. (H) x 16.5 in. (W) (Image) 4.75 in. (H) x 7 in. (W)
Sloane Street Auctions
Apr. 11, 2026
John VARLEY "Mountainous Landscape..." Watercolor
Est: $200 - $400
John Varley (British 1778 - 1842), Watercolor "Mountainous Landscape with Lake", depicting an English landscape with trees by a castle, and men in a boat on a lake. Label on back from Davis Galleries, NYC. Signed lower right. [Matted 14" x 11.5", frame 22" 20"]. Blemish in upper left and right corners, frame with chips all around.
Roland Auctions NY
Mar. 25, 2026
Attributed to John Varley (1778-1842) 'Carnarvonshire', watercolour, 29 x 40.5cm
Est: £40 - £60
Attributed to John Varley (1778-1842) 'Carnarvonshire', watercolour, 29 x 40.5cm
Mallams
Mar. 21, 2026
John Varley (1778-1842) - Castle in a continental landscape, signed and dated 1835 lower right, 47 x 62cm
Est: £200 - £300
John Varley (1778-1842) - Castle in a continental landscape, signed and dated 1835 lower right, 47 x 62cm
Lacy Scott & Knight
Mar. 11, 2026
Varley (John, 1778-1842). Hackfall, Yorkshire, watercolour
Est: £150 - £200
Varley (John, 1778-1842). Hackfall, Yorkshire, watercolour * Varley (John, 1778-1842). Hackfall, Yorkshire, watercolour on paper, some overall toning, 17.2 x 22.8 cm (6 3/4 x 9 ins), in contemporary ornate moulded gilt frame, (32 x 38 cm), remnants of contemporary backing paper to verso with title and artist's name in brown ink QTY: (1)
Dominic Winter Auctions
Mar. 10, 2026
John Varley, OWS, British 1778-1842- Cader Idris from Bal
Est: £400 - £600
John Varley, OWS, British 1778-1842- Cader Idris from Bala Lake, Merioneth; watercolour on paper, signed 'J Varley' (lower right), 28.4 x 37.4 cm. Provenance: with Thos. Agnew & Sons, London [no.38045]. with The Fine Art Society, London, 1970 [no.9706]. Private Collection, UK. Exhibited: London, Thomas Agnew & Sons, 102nd Annual Exhibition of Watercolours and Drawings, 1975, no.114 Note: Varley was a prolific watercolourist and a close friend of William Blake (1757-1827). He was an influential figure in the development of watercolour painting in Britain, as one of the founders of the 'Old Watercolour Society' in 1805, and also instructed a number of significant watercolourists in the generation to follow, including John Linnell (1792-1882), David Cox (1783-1859), Copley Fielding (1787-1855), and William Turner of Oxford (1789-1862). Varley often returned to the subject of the Welsh landscape, as in, for example, another view of Cader Idris which sold at Sotheby's, London, on 27 November 2003, lot 268 (£19,200).
Roseberys
Mar. 10, 2026
John Varley, OWS, British 1778-1842- Landscape with a vie
Est: £150 - £250
John Varley, OWS, British 1778-1842- Landscape with a view of Snowdon beyond Bala Lake, with figures on a path in the foreground; pencil and watercolour on paper, signed 'J. Varley' (lower right), 11.8 x 17.5 cm.; together with Norwich School, 18th century- Landscape with a windmill on a hilltop; watercolour on paper, 10 x 13.7 cm., two (2). Note: Varley was a prolific watercolourist and a close friend of William Blake (1757-1827). He was an influential figure in the development of watercolour painting in Britain, as one of the founders of the 'Old Watercolour Society' in 1805, and also instructed a number of significant watercolourists in the generation to follow, including John Linnell (1792-1882), David Cox (1783-1859), Copley Fielding (1787-1855), and William Turner of Oxford (1789-1862). This view of Snowdon is typical of Varley's expansive and Romantic landscape watercolours, recalling a strikingly similar work which sold at Christie's, London, on 29 March 2009, lot 74 (£1,625), and another which sold at Halls Auctioneers on 21 June 2023, lot 278 (£800 hammer).
Roseberys
Mar. 03, 2026
JOHN VARLEY (1778-1842) Eton Spires watercolour on paper 14 x 19.5cm (25 x 32cm framed)
Est: $500 - $800
JOHN VARLEY (1778-1842) Eton Spires watercolour on paper signed lower right: J. Varley 14 x 19.5cm (25 x 32cm framed) PROVENANCE: Property from Annie Baring and Family
Leonard Joel
Feb. 05, 2026
JOHN VARLEY, O.W.S. (LONDON 1778-1842). Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland
Est: $2,500 - $3,500
JOHN VARLEY, O.W.S. (LONDON 1778-1842). Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland, England. graphite and watercolor, with scratching out, on oatmeal paper6 ¾ x 8 ¾ in. (17 x 22.3 cm).
Christie's
Feb. 05, 2026
John Varley (1778-1842), Landscape with a stone cottage
Est: £100 - £200
John Varley (1778-1842) Landscape with a stone cottage 1840 Watercolour and graphite on paper Signed and dated bottom right Dimensions: (Paper) 11.25 in. (H) x 13.75 in. (W) (Frame) 13.5 in. (H) x 16 in. (W)
Sloane Street Auctions
Jan. 22, 2026
John Varley (British, 1778-1842) Dolbadarn Castle, North Wales
Est: £250 - £350
John Varley (British, 1778-1842) Dolbadarn Castle, North Wales pen and sepia ink, ink wash Dimensions:(10.8 x 15.2 cm. (4 1/4 x 6 in.)) Provenance: Thomas Agnew and Sons, London, according to label verso Private Collection, UK
Chiswick Auctions
Jan. 22, 2026
John Varley (British, 1778-1842) View of Snowdon
Est: £400 - £600
John Varley (British, 1778-1842) View of Snowdon watercolour Dimensions:(16 x 25 cm. (6 1/4 x 10 in.)) Provenance: Caroline Stroude, London Private collection, London
Chiswick Auctions
Jan. 14, 2026
JOHN VARLEY (BRITISH 1778-1842), FIGURES BEFORE A COTTAGE
Est: £500 - £800
JOHN VARLEY (BRITISH 1778-1842)FIGURES BEFORE A COTTAGEWatercolourSigned and dated 1837 (lower right)12 x 18cm (4½ x 7 in.)Provenance: Albany Gallery, LondonSale Sotheby's, London, The British Sale, 21 March 2002, lot 181.
Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales
Dec. 31, 2025
John Varley Kensington Gardens 1867 Antique English Nicely Framed Landscape Painting
Est: $300 - $500
Antiuqe English landscape painting. Nicely framed. Provenance from Davis Galleries NYC. Measuring: 13 by 17 inches overall, and 6 by 10 painting alone. Please see all images for condition. Size is measured and written on the back of the painting or next to each object. The first size is the overall size, the second size is the image size. For detailed condition questions please email charles@curatedgallery.com. Domestic flat rate shipping with UPS or Fedex is set to $75 for this lot. Pick up at our 67 Guernsey street location is available 12-6pm by appointment for two weeks following the sale by appointment. Please call or email and let us know when you would like to pick up! Local delivery is also available around the area for large pieces or large orders. Flat rate delivery to, NY, PA, OH, NJ, CT, MA, DC as well as NYC and Brooklyn available as well. Thank you and good luck.
Curated Gallery Auctions
Dec. 11, 2025
John Varley, watercolor on paper
Est: $600 - $800
John Varley O.W.S. (English, 1778-1842), Looking across the Thames from the Greenwich Observatory to St Paul's, London, graphite and watercolor on oatmeal paper, signed "S. Varley" lower left, auction labels verso, matted and framed under glass, 5.25"h x 7"w (sight), 13.75"h x 15.75"w (frame)
Millea Bros Ltd
Dec. 03, 2025
John Varley Snr OWS (British, 1778-1842)
Est: £100 - £200
John Varley Snr OWS (British, 1778-1842) A cottage by a clump of trees pencil 13.5 x 19cm; together with Robert Hills OWS (British, 1769-1844) 'In the Vaux', Jersey watercolour over pencil 13 x 16.5cm Provenance (Varley): The Burney Collection; Sir Bruce Ingram, His Sale, Sotheby's, 1964 (according to inscription verso) Provenance (Hills): Sotheby's, 1967 (according to inscription verso) Varley, 33 x 39cm framed Hills, 29 x 31cm framed
Cheffins
Nov. 19, 2025
JOHN VARLEY O.W.S., BRITISH 1778-1842, A CASTLE OVERLOOKING A RIVER, Watercolor, Sheet: 3 5/8 x 5 7/8 in. (9.2 x 14.9 cm.), Frame: 10 1/2 x 12 5/8 in. (26.7 x 32.1 cm.)
Est: $200 - $300
JOHN VARLEY O.W.S. BRITISH, 1778-1842 A CASTLE OVERLOOKING A RIVER Watercolor Lower right initialed: JV; verso gallery label: SPINK, LONDON / No. 83 6310
Potomack Company
Nov. 13, 2025
JOHN VARLEY (BRITISH 1778-1842)
Est: £300 - £500
JOHN VARLEY (BRITISH 1778-1842) A LANDSCAPE WITH TOWER AT DUSK Signed, watercolour with gum arabic 12.5cm x 26cm (5in x 10.5in) Agnew's London, DB5670The Collection of Gordon & Ursula Bowyer
Lyon & Turnbull
Nov. 12, 2025
John Varley, OWS, British 1778-1842- View of an Italianate landscape, with a town
Est: £250 - £300
John Varley, OWS, British 1778-1842- View of an Italianate landscape, with a town on a hilltop in the distance; watercolour heightened with scratching out on paper, 8.6 x 13.4 cm. Provenance: with Abbott & Holder, London. Private Collection, UK (by descent). Note: Varley was a prolific watercolourist and a close friend of William Blake (1757-1827). He was an influential figure in the development of watercolour painting in Britain, as one of the founders of the 'Old Watercolour Society' in 1805, and also instructed a number of significant watercolourists in the generation to follow, including John Linnell (1792-1882), David Cox (1783-1859), Copley Fielding (1787-1855), and William Turner of Oxford (1789-1862).
Roseberys
Oct. 29, 2025
John Varley (British, 1778-1842), Field with sheep
Est: £200 - £400
John Varley (British, 1778-1842) Field with sheep Watercolour on paper With a Graves Gallery label verso Dimensions: (Frame) 11 in. (H) x 13.5 in. (W) (Image) 4.75 in. (H) x 7 in. (W)
Sloane Street Auctions
Oct. 27, 2025
John Varley (1778-1842), Watercolour, On the River…
Est: £50 - £80
John Varley (1778-1842), Watercolour, On the River Thames at Millbank. Signed lower right. Approx. 11" x 20 1/2"
Claydon Auctioneers
Oct. 22, 2025
Circle of John Varley (1778-1842) Landscape with figures and cattle, traces of old signature and dated 1839, watercolour heightened with white, 18 x 35.5cm Provenance: with Thomas Agnew & Sons
Est: £100 - £150
Circle of John Varley (1778-1842) Landscape with figures and cattle, traces of old signature and dated 1839, watercolour heightened with white, 18 x 35.5cm Provenance: with Thomas Agnew & Sons
Mallams
Oct. 22, 2025
John Varley (1778-1842) Travellers overlooking a river, with castle beyond, watercolour, 12.5 x 22cm Provenance: with the Gallery Downstairs
Est: £100 - £150
John Varley (1778-1842) Travellers overlooking a river, with castle beyond, watercolour, 12.5 x 22cm Provenance: with the Gallery Downstairs
Mallams
Oct. 22, 2025
Attributed to John Varley (1778-1842) Landscape with a castle seen across a lake, watercolour, 20.5 x 31.5cm Provenance: with the Gallery Downstairs
Est: £100 - £150
Attributed to John Varley (1778-1842) Landscape with a castle seen across a lake, watercolour, 20.5 x 31.5cm Provenance: with the Gallery Downstairs
Mallams
Sep. 17, 2025
John Varley OWS (British, 1778-1842)
Est: £100 - £200
John Varley OWS (British, 1778-1842) A sunset river landscape with a sailing boat signed lower left 'J. Varley' watercolour 10.5 x 15.5cm Framed 27 x 31cm
Cheffins
Sep. 04, 2025
JOHN VARLEY R.W.S. (BRITISH 1778–1842)
Est: £500 - £800
JOHN VARLEY R.W.S. (BRITISH 1778–1842) FIGURE BY A LAKE WITH DISTANT CASTLE Signed and dated 1842, watercolour 20.5cm x 38cm (8in x 15in) Thos. Agnew & Sons Ltd, London, 11729
Lyon & Turnbull
Jul. 24, 2025
JOHN VARLEY, (LANDSCAPE),
Est: $200 - $400
JOHN VARLEY, (LANDSCAPE), WATERCOLOUR, SIGNED LOWER RIGHT, 9.5 X 14CM, FRAME SIZE: 22 X 27CM
Leonard Joel
Jul. 09, 2025
John Varley (1778-1842) The Thames at Chiswick, with the church of St. Nicholas on the horizon, signed, watercolour heightened with gum arabic, 11 x 13cm Provenance: with Thomas Agnew & Sons Ltd; Julia Korner
Est: £200 - £300
John Varley (1778-1842) The Thames at Chiswick, with the church of St. Nicholas on the horizon, signed, watercolour heightened with gum arabic, 11 x 13cm Provenance: with Thomas Agnew & Sons Ltd; Julia Korner
Mallams
Jul. 02, 2025
JOHN VARLEY, O.W.S. (LONDON 1778-1842). Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, London. penci
Est: £4,000 - £6,000
JOHN VARLEY, O.W.S. (LONDON 1778-1842). Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, London. pencil and watercolour, heightened with touches of gum arabic on paper11 ¾ x 15 ½ in. (29.8 x 39.4 cm.).
Christie's
Jul. 02, 2025
Eton from the Slough Road
Est: £5,000 - £7,000
Property of a lady John Varley, O.W.S. (Hackney 1778 - 1842 London) Eton from the Slough Road Watercolour over pencil; signed and dated lower left: J. Varley. / 1808 345 by 485 mm
Sotheby's
Jun. 18, 2025
John Varley (British, 1778-1842)
Est: £150 - £250
John Varley (British, 1778-1842) John Varley (British, 1778-1842) Figures in an Italianate landscape watercolour 14 x 22 cm. (5 1/2 in x 8 5/8 in.)
Chiswick Auctions
Jun. 17, 2025
JOHN VARLEY (1778-1842) 'Landscape with Ruined Castle' watercolour, gallery label verso, 22cm x 40cm
Est: £80 - £120
JOHN VARLEY (1778-1842) 'Landscape with Ruined Castle' watercolour, gallery label verso, 22cm x 40cm
John Nicholson's Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers
Jun. 11, 2025
JOHN VARLEY (BRITISH 1778 - 1842), BERRY POMEROY CASTLE ABOVE THE RIVER DART
Est: £600 - £800
JOHN VARLEY (BRITISH 1778 - 1842)BERRY POMEROY CASTLE ABOVE THE RIVER DART, DEVONPencil and watercolour13.5 x 21cm (5¼ x 8¼ in.)Provenance:Leger Galleries, London, September 1968 The Boydell Galleries, LiverpoolSale, Bonhams, London, Fine British and Continental Watercolours and Drawings, 29 November 2000, lot 59 Sale, Sotheby's, London, British Pictures, 19 March 2003, lot 263Sale, Christie's, London, Old Masters Part II, Paintings, Sculpture, Drawings and Watercolours, 3 July 2024, lot 250Several versions of this Italianate composition by Varley are known, identified as either Brougham Castle, Northumberland, or Berry Pomeroy Castle, Devonshire. Of the two possibilities, it seems more likely that the view in the present lot is Berry Pomeroy Castle, due to similarities with Thomas Girtin's earlier treatment of the same subject (see Christie's The Collection of the Late Mrs T.S Eliot, 20 November 2013, lot 273).
Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales
May. 29, 2025
JOHN VARLEY (BRITISH 1778-1842), MARLOW
Est: £200 - £400
JOHN VARLEY (BRITISH 1778-1842)MARLOWWatercolour17 x 24cm (6½ x 9¼ in.)Provenance:J S Maas & Co Ltd, LondonMeasurements do not include the frame unless specified. Please note Dreweatts are not liable for damage to frames or mounts.
Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales
May. 29, 2025
JOHN VARLEY (BRITISH 1778-1842), TOBIAS AND THE ANGEL
Est: £50 - £70
JOHN VARLEY (BRITISH 1778-1842)TOBIAS AND THE ANGEL Watercolour and pencil Signed (lower right)12.5 x 25.5cm (4¾ x 10 in.)Measurements do not include the frame unless specified. Please note Dreweatts are not liable for damage to frames or mounts.
Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales
May. 28, 2025
John Varley OWS (1778-1842)
Est: £250 - £350
John Varley OWS (1778-1842) 'The Ferry' signed 'J Varley' l.r. and dated '1837' l.l., watercolour 13 x 21.5cm Condition Report: Framed: 31.5 x 40cm Laid down. The signature is a little faded. Slight time staining consistent with age. Not viewed out of glazed frame.
Sworders
May. 21, 2025
JOHN VARLEY (1778-1842) 'Landscape with Ruined Castle' watercolour, gallery label verso, 22cm
Est: £120 - £150
JOHN VARLEY (1778-1842) 'Landscape with Ruined Castle' watercolour, gallery label verso, 22cm x 40cm
John Nicholson's Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers
Apr. 01, 2025
John Varley (British 1778-1842), On the Coast Near Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset and Bridge in Wales, Two Watercolor and Wash Drawings, Each unsigned, One framed: 10 x 16-3/4 in
Est: $100 - $150
John Varley (British 1778-1842), On the Coast Near Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset and Bridge in Wales, Two Watercolor and Wash Drawings, Each unsigned, First: Labeled from the The Fine Art Society Ltd., London, April, 1967.
Weschler's
Mar. 28, 2025
John Varley (English, 1778ñ1842), Cheyne Row
Est: £600 - £800
John Varley (English, 1778–1842) Cheyne Row Watercolour on paper Signed and dated lower right, 'John Varley / 1835' Provenance: The Fine Art Society, 1943 Dimensions: (Frame) 17 in. (H) x 19.5 in. (W) (Paper) 7 in. (H) x 9.75 in. (W)
Sloane Street Auctions
Mar. 26, 2025
Attributed to John Varley OWS (British, 1778-1842)
Est: £150 - £300
Attributed to John Varley OWS (British, 1778-1842) Figures in a river landscape with a hilltop castle watercolour 8.5 x 13cm
Cheffins
Mar. 19, 2025
JOHN VARLEY (1778-1842) Wooded lane with figures on a waterside, watercolour, signed, mounted on card, 4"
Est: £80 - £120
JOHN VARLEY (1778-1842) Wooded lane with figures on a waterside, watercolour, signed, mounted on card, 4" x 5.5" (10cm x 14cm), another monochrome watercolour by John Varley of a waterside cottage with figures and boats, signed and dated 1834, 7" x 9.5" (17cm x 24cm), mounted on card, and an unsigned watercolour of a mountain landscape, attributed verso to John Varley, 7" x 102 (18cm x 26cm) All unframed
John Nicholson's Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers
Mar. 12, 2025
Circle of John Varley, OWS, An extensive landscape with seated figures in the foreground, a lake, and mountains beyond
Est: £150 - £200
Circle of John Varley, OWS, British 1778-1842- An extensive landscape with seated figures in the foreground, a lake, and mountains beyond; pencil and watercolour heightened with touches of white on paper, 31.4 x 119 cm. Provenance: The Collection of Mary and Alan Hobart, Founders of Pyms Gallery.
Roseberys
Mar. 12, 2025
John Varley, OWS, View of Harlech Castle, Wales
Est: £250 - £300
John Varley, OWS, British 1778-1842- View of Harlech Castle, Wales; pencil and watercolour on paper, signed 'J Varley' (lower left), 14.3 x 18.3 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, UK. Note: Varley was a prolific watercolourist and a close friend of William Blake (1757-1827). He was an influential figure in the development of watercolour painting in Britain, as one of the founders of the 'Old Watercolour Society' in 1805, and also instructed a number of significant watercolourists in the generation to follow, including John Linnell (1792-1882), David Cox (1783-1859), Copley Fielding (1787-1855), and William Turner of Oxford (1789-1862). Varley depicted Harlech Castle and the surrounding landscape on a number of occasions, including in a similar view which is in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London [298-1900].
Roseberys