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

# Lu Yanshao (1909–1993)

## What is Lu Yanshao’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 205 auction results for Lu Yanshao at 12 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $14,381 including buyer’s premium (middle half $6,899–$42,477, n=22). The auction record is $1,469,805 for Landscape Inspired by Poetic Sentiments (2018, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Landscape Inspired by Poetic Sentiments, 1909 | Ink | $1,469,805 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 2 | SUMMITS OF MOUNT LU, 1986 | Ink and colour on paper, framed | $1,081,473 | Sotheby's | Oct 2011 |
| 3 | Reminiscence of Mount Tiantai, 1978 | Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll | $939,112 | Sotheby's | Apr 2015 |
| 4 | Cloud Waves at Wu Gorge, 1909 | Ink and colour on paper, framed | $782,971 | Bonhams | May 2017 |
| 5 | SAILING THROUGH THE WHIRLPOOL, 1979 | Ink and colour on paper, framed | $686,047 | Sotheby's | Oct 2013 |
| 6 | Landscape, 1988 | Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll | $567,735 | Sotheby's | Oct 2015 |
| 7 | MOUNTAIN AFTER RAIN, 1981 | Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll | $558,127 | Sotheby's | Apr 2011 |
| 8 | Sailing by the Gorges, 1981 | Ink and colour on paper, framed | $551,359 | Sotheby's | Apr 2024 |
| 9 | YANDANG MOUNTAINS, 1974 | Ink and colout on paper, handscroll | $544,511 | Sotheby's | Oct 2009 |
| 10 | LANDSCAPES FROM TRAVELLING, 1909 | Ink | $485,283 | Christie's | Oct 2000 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 147 | $54,875 |
| Paintings | 22 | $12,672 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 62 | $32,444 |
| Large (over 120 cm) | 25 | $19,621 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 29 | $15,307 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 205 results from 12 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Lu Yanshao is a Chinese artist with 245 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $42,011. 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 Lu Yanshao sold in 2025 for $42,492, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Lu Yanshao work worth?

Across 205 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lu Yanshao work is $42,011.

The median Lu Yanshao work on paper sells for $43,480 across 163 lots.

The median Lu Yanshao painting sells for $8,417 across 26 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Lu Yanshao work on papers typically sell for $7,740–$68,949 (the middle half of 61 sold lots).

Large (over 120 cm) Lu Yanshao work on papers typically sell for $7,098–$84,531 (the middle half of 24 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 36 | $8,417‡ | $686,047 | 72.2% | 2024-11-29 |
| Works on Paper | 185 | $43,480†‡ | $1.5M | 88.1% | 2026-10-28 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 55 | $203,838‡ | $1.5M | — | 2025-04-09 |

† 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) | 6 | $946–$7,840‡ | $2,421‡ | $13,104 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 11 | $1,050–$47,004‡ | $2,309‡ | $212,519‡ |

‡ 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) | 24 | $11,891–$50,222‡ | $28,177‡ | $1.5M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 61 | $7,740–$68,949‡ | $29,418‡ | $321,654 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 24 | $7,098–$84,531†‡ | $19,875†‡ | $322,844 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $1.5M |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $1.1M |
| Paintings | 2013 | $686,047 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $551,359 |

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 Lu Yanshao worth?

Across 205 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lu Yanshao work is $42,011. The median Lu Yanshao work on paper sells for $43,480 across 163 lots. The median Lu Yanshao painting sells for $8,417 across 26 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Lu Yanshao work on papers typically sell for $7,740–$68,949 (the middle half of 61 sold lots). Large (over 120 cm) Lu Yanshao work on papers typically sell for $7,098–$84,531 (the middle half of 24 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 Lu Yanshao work on paper?

Based on 163 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lu Yanshao work on paper is $43,480. 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 Lu Yanshao's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Lu Yanshao work on paper is $1,469,805.

### What is the average price of a Lu Yanshao painting?

Based on 26 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lu Yanshao painting is $8,417. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Lu Yanshao's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Lu Yanshao painting is $686,047.

### What is the average price of a medium Lu Yanshao work on paper?

Based on 61 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Lu Yanshao work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $29,418, 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 Lu Yanshao work on paper?

Based on 24 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Lu Yanshao work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $19,875, 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 Lu Yanshao's auction record?

Lu Yanshao's auction record is $1,469,805, set in 2018.

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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, “Lu Yanshao auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/lu-yanshao (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.