Lin Shu (1852–1924)
What is Lin Shu’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 267 auction results for Lin Shu at 18 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $945 including buyer’s premium (middle half $608–$3,924, n=24). The auction record is $88,655 for Landscapes (2014, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Landscapes, 1919 | Ink and colour on paper, set of four, hanging scroll | $88,655 | Sotheby's | Oct 2014 |
| 2 | 云山幽居, 1923 | Hanging scrolls | $72,792 | Duoyunxuan Auction (上海朵云轩拍卖) | Jun 2024 |
| 3 | Four Seasons Landscapes, 1919年作 | 设色纸本 | $72,417 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Oct 2015 |
| 4 | Landscapes, 1852 | Ink | $48,270 | Christie's | May 2016 |
| 5 | Landscapes in Four Seasons, 1923 | Ink and colour on silk, set of four hanging scrolls | $27,781 | Sotheby's | Apr 2026 |
| 6 | Early Spring, 1920 | Hanging scroll | $26,169 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2016 |
| 7 | 《巴黎茶花女遗事》《黑奴吁天录》两种 | Books | $25,214 | Guangzhou Huayi International Auction (Holly's) | Jun 2021 |
| 8 | Blue and Green Landscape After Old Masters, 1916 | Ink and colour on paper | $18,077 | Bonhams | Apr 2025 |
| 9 | Misty Spring Mountain, 1852 | Ink | $17,738 | Christie's | Dec 2020 |
| 10 | 西溪泛舟 | 设色纸本 | $13,888 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Aug 2019 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 21 | $4,935 |
| Paintings | 8 | $3,604 |
| Other | 35 | $2,533 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 14 | $4,264 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 18 | $2,879 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $2,658 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 267 results from 18 houses · How we compute these figures
Lin Shu is a Chinese artist with 343 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $3,212. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by Lin Shu sold in 2026 for $27,781, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Lin Shu record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Lin Shu on OpeningBid →What is a Lin Shu work worth?
Across 267 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lin Shu work is $3,212.
The median Lin Shu work on paper sells for $2,554 across 39 lots.
The median Lin Shu painting sells for $3,684 across 31 lots.
The median Lin Shu print sells for $641 across 1 lots.
Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 1 | $641‡ | $641‡ | — | 2024-01-15 |
| Paintings | 32 | $3,684‡ | $25,060‡ | 96.9% | 2026-06-30 |
| Works on Paper | 42 | $2,554‡ | $88,655 | 92.9% | 2026-04-26 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 7 | $72,417‡ | $90,882‡ | — | 2024-06-29 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Lin Shu's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1 lots) median $641. Paintings (32 lots) median $3,684, record $25,060. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. A typical Lin Shu painting sells for around 5.7× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 7 lots) the median is $72,417.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $1,726–$6,531‡ | $3,452‡ | $18,737‡ |
‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 16 | $1,458–$3,411‡ | $2,017‡ | $13,881 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $1,635–$10,468‡ | $4,935‡ | $48,270 |
‡ 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 | 2014 | $88,655 |
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $48,270 |
| Paintings | 2016 | $25,060‡ |
| Paintings | 2013 | $18,737‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $641‡ |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Lin Shu worth?
Across 267 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lin Shu work is $3,212. The median Lin Shu work on paper sells for $2,554 across 39 lots. The median Lin Shu painting sells for $3,684 across 31 lots. The median Lin Shu print sells for $641 across 1 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is the average price of a Lin Shu work on paper?
Based on 39 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lin Shu work on paper is $2,554. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Lin Shu's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Lin Shu work on paper is $88,655.
What is the average price of a Lin Shu painting?
Based on 31 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lin Shu painting is $3,684. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Lin Shu's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Lin Shu painting is $25,060. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a medium Lin Shu work on paper?
Based on 16 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Lin Shu work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,017, 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 large Lin Shu work on paper?
Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Lin Shu work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $4,935, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Lin Shu's auction record?
Lin Shu's auction record is $90,882, set in 2015. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
See the full Lin Shu record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Lin Shu on OpeningBid →