> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/kang-youwei-2 · updated 2026-11-03

# Kang Youwei (1858–1927)

## What is Kang Youwei’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 550 auction results for Kang Youwei at 27 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,580 including buyer’s premium (middle half $606–$5,432, n=51). The auction record is $258,053 for Four screens of Du Gongbu's poems in cursive script (2023, Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Four screens of Du Gongbu's poems in cursive script, circa 1900 | Ink on paper | $258,053 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Feb 2023 |
| 2 | Calligraphy Couplet | Ink on paper | $145,168 | Christie's | May 2006 |
| 3 | Two poems of old virtue in cursive script for Kang Tongbi | Ink on paper | $134,372 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Oct 2020 |
| 4 | Calligraphy Couplet 集經石峪五言聯 | Ink on paper, set of two, framed | $121,733 | Sotheby's | Apr 2021 |
| 5 | 康有为 行书六言联 立轴 | 水墨纸本 | $109,646 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Nov 2010 |
| 6 | COUPLET CALLIGRAPHY | Ink on paper | $109,252 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 7 | 赠李微尘楷书十言 | 镜片 (mirror/lens/plate) | $97,773 | Duoyunxuan Auction (上海朵云轩拍卖) | Dec 2015 |
| 8 | 游南湖诗 | Hanging scroll | $81,907 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2013 |
| 9 | 康有为 行书五言联 立轴 | 水墨纸本 | $70,521 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | May 2016 |
| 10 | KANG YOUWEI (1858-1927) | Ink on silk | $69,921 | Christie's | May 2005 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 109 | $8,730 |
| Works on paper | 55 | $2,400 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 74 | $11,800 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 18 | $4,861 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $3,049 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 550 results from 27 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Kang Youwei is a Chinese artist with 747 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $9,919. 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 Kang Youwei sold in 2026 for $39,057, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Kang Youwei work worth?

Across 549 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Kang Youwei work is $9,919.

The median Kang Youwei work on paper sells for $14,354 across 242 lots.

The median Kang Youwei painting sells for $39,826 across 2 lots.

The median Kang Youwei print sells for $7,025 across 2 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Kang Youwei work on papers typically sell for $5,291–$51,681 (the middle half of 167 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Kang Youwei work on papers typically sell for $4,713–$18,449 (the middle half of 42 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 | $7,025 | $9,533 | — | 2025-09-10 |
| Paintings | 2 | $39,826 | $64,232 | — | 2024-11-06 |
| Works on Paper | 254 | $14,354‡ | $418,113‡ | 95.3% | 2026-09-15 |
| Photography | 1 | $5,527‡ | $5,527‡ | — | 2023-03-27 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 20 | $129,222‡ | $418,113‡ | — | 2023-07-04 |

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

Kang Youwei's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (2 lots) median $7,025. Paintings (2 lots) median $39,826, record $64,232. A typical Kang Youwei painting sells for around 5.7× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 20 lots) the median is $129,222.

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $5,807–$13,601‡ | $8,129‡ | $129,774‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 42 | $4,713–$18,449‡ | $7,920‡ | $69,938‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 167 | $5,291–$51,681‡ | $17,954‡ | $418,113‡ |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $418,113‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $299,790‡ |
| Paintings | 2022 | $64,232 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $15,421 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $9,533 |
| Photography | 2023 | $5,527‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $4,517 |

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

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 Kang Youwei worth?

Across 549 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Kang Youwei work is $9,919. The median Kang Youwei work on paper sells for $14,354 across 242 lots. The median Kang Youwei painting sells for $39,826 across 2 lots. The median Kang Youwei print sells for $7,025 across 2 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Kang Youwei work on papers typically sell for $5,291–$51,681 (the middle half of 167 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Kang Youwei work on papers typically sell for $4,713–$18,449 (the middle half of 42 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 Kang Youwei work on paper?

Based on 242 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Kang Youwei work on paper is $14,354. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Kang Youwei's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Kang Youwei work on paper is $418,113. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a large Kang Youwei work on paper?

Based on 167 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Kang Youwei work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $17,954, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a medium Kang Youwei work on paper?

Based on 42 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Kang Youwei work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $7,920, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Kang Youwei's auction record?

Kang Youwei's auction record is $418,113, set in 2021. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

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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, “Kang Youwei auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/kang-youwei-2 (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.