Paintings and Works on Paper

Consign with Olympia Auctions
Our reputation for expertise, research and service brings in buyers from across the UK and around the world. Typically, a third of lots go to collectors and dealers abroad and sell rates regularly exceed 80%. Important consignments have included works by Richard Long and Peter Blake sold on behalf of Turner’s House in Twickenham and property from the estates of leading gallerists Alexander Iolas and Karsten Schubert featuring the work of Nicki de St Phalle, Michael Craig-Martin and Michael Landy.

From Old Masters to Modern and Contemporary
Every June and December we hold auctions of Fine Paintings, Works on Paper and Sculpture with estimates from £500 to several thousands of pounds and including a world auction record of £200,000 for William Nicholson. In March and October, we hold online-only auctions with pictures attractively priced at £50 upwards.

Single-owner collections
We especially enjoy researching, curating and presenting single-owner collections and Drawings and Watercolours from the Iolo Williams Collection was a 2024 highlight. Echoing the generous spirit of this pre-eminent connoisseur, we invitede today’s leading collectors to a series of special views and produced a scholarly catalogue. As a result, 92% of the collection sold with a total hammer price of £89,150, over twice the estimate.

On behalf of The Arvon Foundation, we held a highly successful sale of pictures and other items from the Shropshire home of distinguished playwright John Osborne.

Adrian Biddell
Adrian Biddell comes to us with vast experience after 27 years at Sotheby’s, first in Impressionists, then as head of 19th century European Paintings. Adrian is highly regarded throughout the art world by museums, private collectors and fellow experts and is assisted at Olympia Auctions by a team of equally renown specialists. He is a sparkling auctioneer and loves taking charity auctions.