> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/chen-wenbo · updated 2026-11-03

# Chen Wenbo (b. 1969)

## What is Chen Wenbo’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 58 auction results for Chen Wenbo at 14 houses since 2006. Over the last 24 months the median price was $339 including buyer’s premium (middle half $201–$1,344, n=7). The auction record is $274,349 for Vitamin Z Series (2014, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vitamin Z Series, 1998 | Oil on canvas | $274,349 | Christie's | Nov 2014 |
| 2 | Electronic Element Series: No. 30, 2000 | Oil on canvas | $240,089 | Christie's | Nov 2012 |
| 3 | Vitamin Z Series No. 4 | Oil on canvas, framed | $58,341 | Sotheby's | Apr 2007 |
| 4 | Vitamin Z - III, 1998 | Oil paint | $53,710 | Christie's | May 2007 |
| 5 | Vitamin Z No. 44 | Oil on canvas | $45,058 | Sotheby's | Oct 2008 |
| 6 | 石鼓文拓 | Rubbing | $44,370 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2011 |
| 7 | Vitamin Z - 12.C, 1997 | Oil paint | $42,968 | Christie's | May 2007 |
| 8 | Test No. 4 | — | $42,000 | Sotheby's | Mar 2007 |
| 9 | Positronium Y No.6 | Oil on canvas | $38,085 | Sotheby's | Oct 2007 |
| 10 | Vitamin Z Series No. 30, 2000 | Oil on canvas | $35,460 | Sotheby's | Apr 2016 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 31 | $13,750 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 23 | $6,815 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 8 | $372 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 58 results from 14 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Chen Wenbo is a Chinese artist with 72 auction lots recorded since 2006, median price $14,113. 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 Chen Wenbo sold in 2019 for $22,800, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Chen Wenbo work worth?

Across 58 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Chen Wenbo work is $14,113.

The median Chen Wenbo painting sells for $13,691 across 40 lots.

The median Chen Wenbo work on paper sells for $232 across 3 lots.

The median Chen Wenbo print sells for $494 across 2 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Chen Wenbo paintings typically sell for $2,203–$30,020 (the middle half of 36 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 | 2 | $494 | $582 | — | 2021-04-29 |
| Paintings | 46 | $13,691†‡ | $274,349 | 87% | 2026-07-17 |
| Works on Paper | 3 | $232 | $339 | — | 2026-07-17 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $240,089‡ | $274,349 | — | 2014-11-23 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Chen Wenbo's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (2 lots) median $494. Paintings (46 lots) median $13,691, record $274,349. A typical Chen Wenbo painting sells for around 28× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 3 lots) the median is $240,089.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| large (over 120 cm) | 36 | $2,203–$30,020†‡ | $13,691†‡ | $274,349 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2014 | $274,349 |
| Paintings | 2012 | $240,089 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $582 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $405 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $339 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $232 |

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 Chen Wenbo worth?

Across 58 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Chen Wenbo work is $14,113. The median Chen Wenbo painting sells for $13,691 across 40 lots. The median Chen Wenbo work on paper sells for $232 across 3 lots. The median Chen Wenbo print sells for $494 across 2 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Chen Wenbo paintings typically sell for $2,203–$30,020 (the middle half of 36 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 Chen Wenbo painting?

Based on 40 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Chen Wenbo painting is $13,691. 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 Chen Wenbo's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Chen Wenbo painting is $274,349.

### What is the average price of a large Chen Wenbo painting?

Based on 36 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Chen Wenbo painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $13,691, 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 Chen Wenbo's auction record?

Chen Wenbo's auction record is $274,349, set in 2014.

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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, “Chen Wenbo auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/chen-wenbo (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.