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

# Lin Shu (1852–1924)

## What is Lin Shu’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 21 | $4,935 |
| Paintings | 8 | $3,604 |
| Other | 35 | $2,533 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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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, “Lin Shu auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/lin-shu (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.