Justin O'Brien Auction Prices and Value Guide

Justin O'Brien auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 237 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.

Justin O'Brien auction prices: quick answer

Justin O'Brien auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.

Artist
Justin O'Brien
Source records
237
Market update
2026-02-16

Artist context

About Justin O'Brien

Justin Maurice O'Brien (1917–1996) was an Australian painter recognized as a significant figure in twentieth-century Australian art. Active from the mid-century onward, O'Brien worked across painting and drawing, with a practice that encompassed religious and figurative subjects. He gained national prominence in 1951 when he received the inaugural Blake Prize for religious art, one of Australia's most distinguished art awards. His work is documented in major Australian public collections and is referenced by leading international authority files including the Getty Union List of Artist Names, VIAF, and the RKD (Netherlands Institute for Art History). With over two hundred auction records, O'Brien's paintings continue to appear regularly in the secondary market, particularly through Australian auction houses.

paintingreligious art

Common works and media

O'Brien is primarily known as a painter. Works encountered at auction and in collections include oil paintings, watercolours, gouaches, and drawings. Religious and figurative subjects are represented in his practice. Collectors may also encounter works on paper and studies. As with many twentieth-century Australian artists, prints or reproductions may circulate alongside original works, so attribution and medium verification are important steps in appraisal.

Market and appraisal context

Justin O'Brien's work circulates primarily in Australian and select international auction markets. Key factors that may influence appraisal include medium (oil, watercolour, gouache), subject matter, provenance, condition, and whether the work can be securely attributed through signature or documentation. His 1951 Blake Prize win provides institutional recognition that collectors and appraisers often reference. Auction results should be compared against comparable lots accounting for date, size, and subject. Works with strong provenance linking to the artist or notable collections tend to carry more weight in valuation.

Auction categories and appraisal factors

Value drivers

  1. Blake Prize recognition adds institutional and collector significance
  2. Australian twentieth-century painters are tracked by major auction houses in the region

Appraisal caveats

  • Provenance, condition, medium, dimensions, and subject matter all affect individual lot outcomes.
  • Attribution should be confirmed through signature, documentation, or expert review.
  • Market activity is primarily concentrated in Australian and select international auction venues.

Evidence

Sources for artist context

This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.

Source-grounded artist Markdown

Data basis

This page is built from Appraisily's public auction market index. Private transactions, incomplete sale feeds, and attribution changes may not be fully represented.

LLM-readable Markdown summary for Justin O'Brien

LLM summary index · LLM full index

Artist value FAQ

How much is Justin O'Brien worth?

Comparable public auction sales are the best starting point, but final value depends on the specific artwork, condition, size, medium, provenance, and attribution confidence.

Can Appraisily value my Justin O'Brien artwork?

Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.