What is the estimated value of this floral still life painting?

This original watercolor and ink floral still life, attributed to Eileen J. Rogoff, has an estimated market value of £100 - £200. This valuation is based on market analysis of similar decorative modern watercolors by listed artists, considering its good condition and plausible attribution. A reserve price of £80 is recommended for auction.

What era is this Eileen J. Rogoff attributed painting from?

This floral still life painting is attributed to the Late 20th Century, likely dating from the 1970s to 1990s. This period aligns with the expressive, non-photorealistic style and the artist's active career, including her founding of an art school in Australia in 1983.

What condition is this Eileen J. Rogoff attributed artwork in?

The artwork is in good overall condition. The watercolor pigments are bright and unfaded, and the paper is free from significant damage. There is minor, subtle discoloration or foxing on the inner mat board, which is common with age but does not affect the painting itself and can be easily replaced.

Where should I sell this Eileen J. Rogoff attributed watercolor?

For the best price and professional handling, it is recommended to consign this watercolor to a regional UK auction house with a Modern & Contemporary Art department, such as Dreweatts or Roseberys London. For a quicker sale, an online marketplace like eBay UK is an alternative, though it requires more effort from the seller.

Is this floral still life painting an original work by Eileen J. Rogoff?

The painting is considered a likely authentic original watercolor and ink artwork, signed 'E.J. Rogoff.'. The physical characteristics, including the hand-applied signature and pigment behavior, confirm it is not a reproduction. However, the attribution is based on stylistic and signature analysis, lacking direct provenance.

What are the key features of this floral still life painting?

This painting features a vibrant bouquet of red, white, and yellow flowers in a brown earthenware vase, set against a dramatic purple and blue background. It is executed in a loose, expressive watercolor and ink style, signed 'E.J. Rogoff.' in the lower left, and presented double-matted under glass in a gold-toned frame.

A Floral Still Life, Attributed to Eileen J. Rogoff (b. 1941/42)

Estimated value: £100 - £200. A Floral Still Life, Attributed to Eileen J. Rogoff (b. 1941/42) (Late 20th Century (circa 1970s-1990s)) — a researched valuation with cited comparable sales in Fine Art, from findthevalueof.com.

About this item

This expressive floral still life is attributed to Eileen J. Rogoff, a South African artist born in 1941 who later emigrated to Australia. There, in 1983, she founded the successful Rogoff Art School in a scenic suburb of Sydney, establishing herself as both a painter and a respected teacher. This work is characteristic of her favored subject matter and her use of the watercolor and ink medium, which allows for both fluid, spontaneous washes of color and crisp, defining lines. The painting captures a timeless subject—a bouquet of flowers in a vase—but renders it with a distinctly modern sensibility. The loose brushwork and dramatic, moody background reflect a move away from academic realism towards a more personal, expressive interpretation. As such, it stands within the long tradition of floral still life painting, a genre that has allowed artists for centuries to experiment with color, form, and composition, while also connecting with a broad audience that appreciates the beauty of the natural world brought indoors.

How the value was reached

The valuation is based on the market for decorative, modern watercolors by listed artists. A directly comparable sale by Laura Shier for £15 at a regional auction provides a low-end benchmark. A more aspirational comparable is a mixed-media floral still life by Sherry Edmondson which sold for £230. This painting's quality and plausible attribution to Eileen J. Rogoff place it between these points. The wider range reflects the uncertainty of the attribution and the lack of direct sales data for the artist's watercolors. We would recommend a reserve price of £80. If sold at auction, the net proceeds would be subject to a seller's commission, typically 10-15% of the hammer price.

Comparable sales

A water colour painting by Laura Shier, "Pelargoniums With A Teacup." 43x53cm — sold for 15 GBP (Laganside Auctions), 2023-04-19
An original mixed-media painting titled "Flowers in a vase" by Sherry Edmondson, depicting a memory of late summer hellebore in a blue vase. It is freely painted in acrylic-based mixed media on canvas, unframed, and ready to hang. The artwork is signed bottom right in pencil, with the title, signature, and date on the reverse. — sold for £230 (Artfinder), 2019-01-01
The item is an original A5 folded watercolor card featuring sweet peas in a pot. — sold for 11,72 € (Etsy), 2026-05-29

Expert notes

The valuation is based on the attribution to artist Eileen J. Rogoff, which is supported by the signature and style but not by direct provenance or comparable sales data. Before selling, it is recommended to search South African and Australian auction databases for prior sales of her watercolors to better establish the price point. It is also advisable to have a framer briefly inspect the work out of its frame to confirm that a vertical line visible in the photo is a reflection and not a crease in the paper.

This report is one of the worked examples in our guide What is your painting worth, and why?.