> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/lengyue-tao · updated 2026-11-02

# Tao Lengyue (1895–1985)

## What is Tao Lengyue’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 478 auction results for Tao Lengyue at 19 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,204 including buyer’s premium (middle half $418–$4,171, n=22). The auction record is $580,670 for Landscape in the Moonlight (2006, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Landscape in the Moonlight, 1981 | Ink and colour on paper | $580,670 | Christie's | May 2006 |
| 2 | Boating in the Moonlight, 1930 | Ink and colour on paper | $446,670 | Christie's | May 2006 |
| 3 | Spring Greetings, 1946 | Ink and colour on paper, framed | $212,442 | Sotheby's | Apr 2026 |
| 4 | 并蒂莲, 1948年作 | 设色纸本 | $135,901 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2011 |
| 5 | Pine, Plum Blossoms and Rock, 1944 | Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll | $132,797 | Sotheby's | Oct 2021 |
| 6 | NARCISSUS, 1946 | Ink on paper | $131,364 | Christie's | Oct 2004 |
| 7 | Willow Shore under the Moon, circa 1930s | Ink and colour on paper, framed | $105,160 | Sotheby's | Apr 2023 |
| 8 | Sketches of Plum Blossoms, 1923-1972 | Pencil on paper, album of sixty leaves | $80,974 | Sotheby's | Oct 2021 |
| 9 | Li Bai Shi Yi Tu, 1980年作 | 设色纸本 | $71,004 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2014 |
| 10 | Chun Bo Li Ying, 1940年作 | 设色纸本 | $56,620 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2013 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 13 | $13,468 |
| Other | 42 | $3,821 |
| Paintings | 29 | $2,095 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 28 | $9,740 |
| Large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $5,337 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 28 | $1,746 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 478 results from 19 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Tao Lengyue is a Chinese artist with 620 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $1,749. 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 Tao Lengyue sold in 2026 for $3,732, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Tao Lengyue work worth?

Across 478 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Tao Lengyue work is $1,749.

The median Tao Lengyue painting sells for $1,749 across 135 lots.

The median Tao Lengyue work on paper sells for $1,444 across 65 lots.

The median Tao Lengyue photograph sells for $9,062 across 1 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Tao Lengyue paintings typically sell for $1,399–$1,749 (the middle half of 77 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Tao Lengyue paintings typically sell for $1,791–$11,515 (the middle half of 28 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 | 1 | — | — | — | 2018-12-20 |
| Paintings | 139 | $1,749†‡ | $212,442 | 97.1% | 2026-09-14 |
| Works on Paper | 68 | $1,444†‡ | $580,670 | 95.6% | 2026-07-19 |
| Photography | 2 | $9,062 | $9,062 | 50% | 2010-06-29 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 12 | $134,349‡ | $580,670 | — | 2026-04-10 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 77 | $1,399–$1,749†‡ | $1,749†‡ | $12,988† |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 28 | $1,791–$11,515‡ | $3,241‡ | $105,160 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 20 | $334–$2,067‡ | $342‡ | $80,974 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 13 | $5,055–$47,226‡ | $13,468‡ | $446,670 |

‡ 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 | 2006 | $580,670 |
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $446,670 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $212,442 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $105,160 |
| Photography | 2010 | $9,062 |

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 Tao Lengyue worth?

Across 478 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Tao Lengyue work is $1,749. The median Tao Lengyue painting sells for $1,749 across 135 lots. The median Tao Lengyue work on paper sells for $1,444 across 65 lots. The median Tao Lengyue photograph sells for $9,062 across 1 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Tao Lengyue paintings typically sell for $1,399–$1,749 (the middle half of 77 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Tao Lengyue paintings typically sell for $1,791–$11,515 (the middle half of 28 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 Tao Lengyue painting?

Based on 135 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Tao Lengyue painting is $1,749. 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 Tao Lengyue's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Tao Lengyue painting is $212,442.

### What is the average price of a Tao Lengyue work on paper?

Based on 65 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Tao Lengyue work on paper is $1,444. 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 Tao Lengyue's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Tao Lengyue work on paper is $580,670.

### What is the average price of a small Tao Lengyue painting?

Based on 77 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Tao Lengyue painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,749, 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 the average price of a medium Tao Lengyue painting?

Based on 28 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Tao Lengyue painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $3,241, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Tao Lengyue's auction record?

Tao Lengyue's auction record is $580,670, set in 2006.

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Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Tao Lengyue auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/lengyue-tao (updated 2026-11-02).

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.