Sean McSweeney (1935–2018)
What is Sean McSweeney’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 144 auction results for Sean McSweeney at 4 houses since 1999. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,870 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,171–$6,014, n=7). The auction record is $58,620 for Stilly Estuary February (2008, James Adam Salesrooms). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stilly Estuary February | Oil on panel | $58,620 | James Adam Salesrooms | Apr 2008 |
| 2 | Marshland, Ballyconnell, Sligo Triptych, 1986 | Oil on board | $30,617 | James Adam Salesrooms | Jun 2011 |
| 3 | Conway's Bog, 1988 | Oil on canvas | $23,512 | James Adam Salesrooms | Sep 2025 |
| 4 | Alone in the Field | Oil on canvas | $23,343 | James Adam Salesrooms | Nov 2010 |
| 5 | LANDSCAPE, 1966 | Oil on canvas | $20,067 | deVeres Art Auctions | Oct 2021 |
| 6 | Fields to the Sea, 1966 | Oil on Canvas | $15,662 | James Adam Salesrooms | Dec 2007 |
| 7 | Trees Holywood, 1984 | Oil on board | $13,339 | James Adam Salesrooms | Nov 2010 |
| 8 | A cry from the mountain, 1965 | Oil on Canvas | $12,898 | James Adam Salesrooms | Dec 2007 |
| 9 | Trees at Lissadell | Oil on board | $12,623 | James Adam Salesrooms | Dec 2008 |
| 10 | Sean McSweeney RHA (1935-2018)Ballyconnell, SligoOil on canvas, 64 x 92cm (25¼ x 36)Signed and dated (19)'86; also signed and inscribed versoExhibited: Wagner Gallery, Sydney, Australia, 'Six West of Ireland Artists', c.1986, cover illustration, 1986 | Oil on canvas | $11,401 | James Adam Salesrooms | Oct 2019 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 108 | $2,278 |
| Works on paper | 18 | $971 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 51 | $3,440 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 74 | $1,723 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 144 results from 4 houses · How we compute these figures
Sean McSweeney is an Irish artist with 188 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $1,859. 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 Sean McSweeney sold in 2026 for $5,734, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Sean McSweeney record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Sean McSweeney on OpeningBid →What is a Sean McSweeney work worth?
Across 143 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Sean McSweeney work is $1,859.
The median Sean McSweeney painting sells for $2,158 across 124 lots.
The median Sean McSweeney work on paper sells for $888 across 18 lots.
The median Sean McSweeney print sells for $3 across 1 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Sean McSweeney paintings typically sell for $27–$3,853 (the middle half of 69 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Sean McSweeney paintings typically sell for $92–$7,848 (the middle half of 52 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 | 1 | $3 | $3 | — | 2014-12-02 |
| Paintings | 164 | $2,158†‡ | $58,620 | 75.6% | 2026-03-24 |
| Works on Paper | 20 | $888† | $4,335 | 90% | 2026-03-24 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 8 | $21,705 | $58,620 | — | 2025-09-24 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Sean McSweeney's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1 lots) median $3. Paintings (164 lots) median $2,158, record $58,620. A typical Sean McSweeney painting sells for around 771× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 8 lots) the median is $21,705.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 69 | $27–$3,853†‡ | $1,863†‡ | $58,620 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 52 | $92–$7,848†‡ | $3,436†‡ | $30,617 |
† 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) | 14 | $340–$1,205† | $888† | $2,825 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2008 | $58,620 |
| Paintings | 2011 | $30,617 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $4,335 |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $2,825 |
| Prints & Editions | 2014 | $3 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Sean McSweeney worth?
Across 143 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Sean McSweeney work is $1,859. The median Sean McSweeney painting sells for $2,158 across 124 lots. The median Sean McSweeney work on paper sells for $888 across 18 lots. The median Sean McSweeney print sells for $3 across 1 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Sean McSweeney paintings typically sell for $27–$3,853 (the middle half of 69 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Sean McSweeney paintings typically sell for $92–$7,848 (the middle half of 52 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 Sean McSweeney painting?
Based on 124 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Sean McSweeney painting is $2,158. 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 Sean McSweeney's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Sean McSweeney painting is $58,620.
What is the average price of a Sean McSweeney work on paper?
Based on 18 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Sean McSweeney work on paper is $888. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Sean McSweeney's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Sean McSweeney work on paper is $4,335.
What is the average price of a small Sean McSweeney painting?
Based on 69 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Sean McSweeney painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,863, 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 Sean McSweeney painting?
Based on 52 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Sean McSweeney painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $3,436, 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 Sean McSweeney's auction record?
Sean McSweeney's auction record is $58,620, set in 2008.
See the full Sean McSweeney record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Sean McSweeney on OpeningBid →