> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/sean-o-sullivan · updated 2026-11-03

# Sean O'Sullivan (1906–1964)

## What is Sean O'Sullivan’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 184 auction results for Sean O'Sullivan at 4 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,237 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,500–$3,457, n=7). The auction record is $65,460 for The Old Couple (2012, James Adam Salesrooms). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Old Couple, 1943 | Oil on canvas | $65,460 | James Adam Salesrooms | Dec 2012 |
| 2 | A Kerry Interior | Oil on board | $54,202 | James Adam Salesrooms | Sep 2026 |
| 3 | Portrait of Sean McEntee, 1928 | Oil on canvas | $16,775 | James Adam Salesrooms | May 2007 |
| 4 | Sean O'Sullivan RHA (1906-1964) Oughterard, Co, 1944 | Oil on board | $16,634 | James Adam Salesrooms | May 2008 |
| 5 | Connemara Woman with Red Skirt, 1952 | Oil on board | $14,387 | James Adam Salesrooms | Sep 2011 |
| 6 | The Four Courts, Under Snow, 1941 | Oil on board | $13,131 | James Adam Salesrooms | May 2012 |
| 7 | The Emigrants Return, 1962 | Oil on canvas | $11,057 | James Adam Salesrooms | May 2014 |
| 8 | St. Audeon's Under Snow | Oil on board | $10,997 | James Adam Salesrooms | May 2012 |
| 9 | Portrait of Julian, The Artist's Daughter | Conté | $10,552 | James Adam Salesrooms | Apr 2008 |
| 10 | Brian Ó Nualláin (Myles na gGopaleen) & Flann O'Brien, seated at a bar counter, 1940 | Charcoal and white chalk | $9,848 | James Adam Salesrooms | May 2012 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 46 | $3,457 |
| Other | 21 | $771 |
| Works on paper | 90 | $742 |
| Prints | 13 | $328 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 49 | $1,313 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 121 | $796 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 184 results from 4 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Sean O'Sullivan is an Irish artist with 253 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $821. 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 O'Sullivan sold in 2026 for $2,237, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Sean O'Sullivan work worth?

Across 176 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Sean O'Sullivan work is $821.

The median Sean O'Sullivan work on paper sells for $739 across 110 lots.

The median Sean O'Sullivan painting sells for $3,457 across 52 lots.

The median Sean O'Sullivan print sells for $328 across 11 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Sean O'Sullivan work on papers typically sell for $525–$985 (the middle half of 87 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Sean O'Sullivan paintings typically sell for $2,134–$4,432 (the middle half of 27 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 | 14 | $328 | $936 | 78.6% | 2012-05-02 |
| Paintings | 70 | $3,457†‡ | $65,460 | 74.3% | 2026-09-23 |
| Works on Paper | 148 | $739† | $224,287† | 74.3% | 2025-11-26 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 10 | $15,511† | $224,287† | — | 2026-09-23 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Sean O'Sullivan's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (14 lots) median $328 with 78.6% sell-through. Paintings (70 lots) median $3,457, record $65,460. A typical Sean O'Sullivan painting sells for around 11× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 10 lots) the median is $15,511.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $263–$501 | $328 | $936 |

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 27 | $2,134–$4,432 | $2,954 | $54,202 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 25 | $2,248–$8,535†‡ | $4,128†‡ | $65,460 |

† 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) | 87 | $525–$985† | $739† | $224,287† |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 23 | $509–$1,067 | $700 | $9,848 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2001 | $224,287† |
| Paintings | 2012 | $65,460 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $54,202 |
| Works on Paper | 2012 | $9,848 |
| Prints & Editions | 2012 | $936 |
| Prints & Editions | 2012 | $657 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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 Sean O'Sullivan worth?

Across 176 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Sean O'Sullivan work is $821. The median Sean O'Sullivan work on paper sells for $739 across 110 lots. The median Sean O'Sullivan painting sells for $3,457 across 52 lots. The median Sean O'Sullivan print sells for $328 across 11 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Sean O'Sullivan work on papers typically sell for $525–$985 (the middle half of 87 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Sean O'Sullivan paintings typically sell for $2,134–$4,432 (the middle half of 27 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 O'Sullivan work on paper?

Based on 110 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Sean O'Sullivan work on paper is $739. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Sean O'Sullivan's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Sean O'Sullivan work on paper is $224,287. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $224,287 (buyer's premium not included).

### What is the average price of a Sean O'Sullivan painting?

Based on 52 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Sean O'Sullivan painting is $3,457. 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 O'Sullivan's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Sean O'Sullivan painting is $65,460.

### What is the average price of a Sean O'Sullivan print?

Based on 11 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Sean O'Sullivan print is $328.

### What is Sean O'Sullivan's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Sean O'Sullivan print is $936.

### What is the average price of a small Sean O'Sullivan work on paper?

Based on 87 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Sean O'Sullivan work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $739, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a small Sean O'Sullivan painting?

Based on 27 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Sean O'Sullivan painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,954, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Sean O'Sullivan's auction record?

Sean O'Sullivan's auction record is $224,287, set in 2001. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $224,287 (buyer's premium not included).

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Sean O'Sullivan auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/sean-o-sullivan (updated 2026-11-03).

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.