> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/lin-onus · updated 2026-11-02

# Lin Onus (1948–1996)

## What is Lin Onus’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 192 auction results for Lin Onus at 8 houses since 2001. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,171 including buyer’s premium (middle half $759–$42,642, n=41). The auction record is $453,067 for LIN ONUS — Guyi Bulgabula (Fish and Lily) (1992) (2022, Smith & Singer). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

**Top auction records: paintings, drawings & sculpture**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LIN ONUS — Guyi Bulgabula (Fish and Lily) (1992), 1992 | Synthetic polymer paint on canvas | $453,067 | Smith & Singer | Aug 2022 |
| 2 | Moonlight at Numerili 2, 1993 | Synthetic polymer paint on canvas | $399,405 | Menzies Art Brands | Mar 2021 |
| 3 | RIDDLE OF THE KOI, 1994 | Synthetic polymer paint on canvas diptych | $396,285 | Deutscher and Hackett | May 2017 |
| 4 | YELLOW LILIES, 1993 | Synthetic polymer paint on canvas | $389,982 | Deutscher and Hackett | Apr 2024 |
| 5 | Yellow Lilies, 1934 | Synthetic polymer paint on canvas | $358,698 | Deutscher and Hackett | Apr 2024 |
| 6 | Reflections (Barmah Forest), 1994 – 95 | Synthetic polymer paint on canvas | $337,984 | Deutscher and Hackett | Jun 2026 |
| 7 | Bulla Goonyah, 1993 | Synthetic polymer paint on canvas | $314,257 | Menzies Art Brands | Aug 2026 |
| 8 | FISH, BARMAH FOREST, c.1994 | Synthetic polymer paint on canvas | $306,833 | Deutscher and Hackett | Mar 2013 |
| 9 | Fish, Barmah Forest, c.1994 | Synthetic polymer paint on canvas | $306,833 | Deutscher and Hackett | Jun 2026 |
| 10 | Cloud Fish, 1994 | Yorta Yorta language group | $271,572 | Menzies Art Brands | May 2026 |


**Median price by medium (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 53 | $73,591 |
| Works on paper | 11 | $29,465 |
| Prints | 8 | $2,570 |
| Other | 28 | $775 |

**Median price by size (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 28 | $232,253 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $32,065 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 61 | $1,609 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 192 results from 8 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Lin Onus is an Australian artist with 238 auction lots recorded since 2001, median price $26,963. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Lin Onus sold in 2026 for $314,257, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Lin Onus work worth?

Across 187 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lin Onus work is $26,963.

The median Lin Onus painting sells for $70,267 across 104 lots.

The median Lin Onus print sells for $1,000 across 49 lots.

The median Lin Onus work on paper sells for $29,465 across 19 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Lin Onus paintings typically sell for $121,835–$270,843 (the middle half of 50 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Lin Onus prints typically sell for $728–$2,134 (the middle half of 47 sold lots).

Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 77 | $1,000†‡ | $231,917 | 63.6% | 2026-09-07 |
| Paintings | 111 | $70,267†‡ | $493,340† | 93.7% | 2026-08-27 |
| Works on Paper | 20 | $29,465†‡ | $71,475† | 95% | 2026-06-17 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 52 | $220,049†‡ | $493,340† | — | 2026-08-27 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

Lin Onus's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (77 lots) median $1,000 with 63.6% sell-through. Paintings (111 lots) median $70,267, record $493,340. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $493,340 (buyer's premium not included). A typical Lin Onus painting sells for around 70× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 52 lots) the median is $220,049.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 47 | $728–$2,134†‡ | $1,000†‡ | $9,662 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $18,773–$45,492†‡ | $25,684†‡ | $50,451† |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 40 | $6,880–$48,024†‡ | $20,463†‡ | $216,389 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 50 | $121,835–$270,843†‡ | $189,566†‡ | $493,340† |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $24,348–$33,983‡ | $29,465‡ | $38,998 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $24,125–$58,404† | $49,103† | $71,475† |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2018 | $493,340† |
| Paintings | 2017 | $418,310‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $231,917 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $71,475† |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $59,629 |
| Prints & Editions | 2011 | $9,662 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

The highest recorded result in each medium. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Lin Onus worth?

Across 187 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lin Onus work is $26,963. The median Lin Onus painting sells for $70,267 across 104 lots. The median Lin Onus print sells for $1,000 across 49 lots. The median Lin Onus work on paper sells for $29,465 across 19 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Lin Onus paintings typically sell for $121,835–$270,843 (the middle half of 50 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Lin Onus prints typically sell for $728–$2,134 (the middle half of 47 sold lots). Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is the average price of a Lin Onus painting?

Based on 104 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lin Onus painting is $70,267. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is Lin Onus's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Lin Onus painting is $493,340. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $493,340 (buyer's premium not included).

### What is the average price of a Lin Onus print?

Based on 49 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lin Onus print is $1,000. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is Lin Onus's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Lin Onus print is $231,917.

### What is the average price of a Lin Onus work on paper?

Based on 19 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lin Onus work on paper is $29,465. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is Lin Onus's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Lin Onus work on paper is $71,475. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $71,475 (buyer's premium not included).

### What is the average price of a large Lin Onus painting?

Based on 50 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Lin Onus painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $189,566, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is the average price of a medium Lin Onus print?

Based on 47 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Lin Onus print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is Lin Onus's auction record?

Lin Onus's auction record is $493,340, set in 2018. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $493,340 (buyer's premium not included).

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Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Lin Onus auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/lin-onus (updated 2026-11-02).

Historical auction data, not investment advice. Prices are premium-inclusive USD where the buyer's premium is recorded. Figures marked † are hammer prices (buyer's premium not included); ‡ marks a price whose basis is not yet verified. Non-USD results are converted at the sale month's rate.