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

# Zhao Mengfu (1254–1322)

## What is Zhao Mengfu’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 242 auction results for Zhao Mengfu at 32 houses since 1999. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,087 including buyer’s premium (middle half $564–$2,918, n=16). The auction record is $352,979 for Seven-character Octave in Running Script (2010, 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 | Seven-character Octave in Running Script | 水墨纸本 | $352,979 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2010 |
| 2 | 临《东方朔画赞》及行书七绝一首 | 水墨纸本 | $217,201 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2016 |
| 3 | Man and Horse | 设色绢本 | $194,796 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Apr 2011 |
| 4 | 骊黄双骏图 | 设色纸本 | $141,047 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Sep 2009 |
| 5 | Poem in running script | Ink on paper, bearing signature of SONGXUE DAOREN, and with six seals, framed under glass | $53,687 | Sotheby's | Jun 2021 |
| 6 | Liu Bang meeting Lisheng | Ink and colour on silk, framed | $51,891 | Sotheby's | Oct 2023 |
| 7 | Shuzha Hejuan | 水墨纸本 | $45,013 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Nov 2017 |
| 8 | Hunting in Countryside | Ink and colour on silk, handscroll | $38,919 | Sotheby's | Apr 2024 |
| 9 | 归棹幽渡 | 设色绢本 | $18,880 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2013 |
| 10 | Horizontal hand scroll with horses and men, circa 1322 | Ink and colour on silk | $18,169 | Bruun Rasmussen | May 2018 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 46 | $3,448 |
| Works on paper | 17 | $3,187 |
| Paintings | 11 | $1,502 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 20 | $6,538 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 20 | $2,945 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 21 | $1,133 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 242 results from 32 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Zhao Mengfu is a Chinese artist with 325 auction lots recorded since 1997, median price $4,634. 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 Zhao Mengfu sold in 2025 for $15,240, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Zhao Mengfu work worth?

Across 241 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zhao Mengfu work is $4,634.

The median Zhao Mengfu work on paper sells for $5,354 across 77 lots.

The median Zhao Mengfu painting sells for $3,192 across 32 lots.

The median Zhao Mengfu print sells for $971 across 2 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Zhao Mengfu work on papers typically sell for $2,654–$13,969 (the middle half of 31 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Zhao Mengfu work on papers typically sell for $839–$24,115 (the middle half of 25 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 | 3 | $971 | $1,133 | 66.7% | 2025-11-23 |
| Paintings | 36 | $3,192†‡ | $229,436‡ | 88.9% | 2025-11-06 |
| Works on Paper | 81 | $5,354†‡ | $29.3M‡ | 95.1% | 2026-06-16 |
| Photography | 3 | $6,054‡ | $11,472‡ | 66.7% | 2024-06-13 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 15 | $229,436‡ | $29.3M‡ | — | 2021-06-23 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Zhao Mengfu's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (3 lots) median $971 with 66.7% sell-through. Paintings (36 lots) median $3,192, record $229,436. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. A typical Zhao Mengfu painting sells for around 3.3× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 15 lots) the median is $229,436.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $738–$4,547†‡ | $1,030†‡ | $15,240 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 13 | $511–$7,441‡ | $2,704‡ | $51,891 |

† 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) | 25 | $839–$24,115‡ | $3,561‡ | $29.3M‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 11 | $4,837–$55,601‡ | $8,942‡ | $835,808‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 31 | $2,654–$13,969†‡ | $5,669†‡ | $121,237‡ |

† 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 | 2017 | $29.3M‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $1.9M‡ |
| Paintings | 2020 | $229,436‡ |
| Paintings | 2021 | $118,840‡ |
| Photography | 2020 | $11,472‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $1,133 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $810 |
| Photography | 2024 | $636 |

‡ 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 Zhao Mengfu worth?

Across 241 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zhao Mengfu work is $4,634. The median Zhao Mengfu work on paper sells for $5,354 across 77 lots. The median Zhao Mengfu painting sells for $3,192 across 32 lots. The median Zhao Mengfu print sells for $971 across 2 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Zhao Mengfu work on papers typically sell for $2,654–$13,969 (the middle half of 31 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Zhao Mengfu work on papers typically sell for $839–$24,115 (the middle half of 25 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 Zhao Mengfu work on paper?

Based on 77 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zhao Mengfu work on paper is $5,354. 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 Zhao Mengfu's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Zhao Mengfu work on paper is $29,335,563. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a Zhao Mengfu painting?

Based on 32 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zhao Mengfu painting is $3,192. 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 Zhao Mengfu's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Zhao Mengfu painting is $229,436. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a large Zhao Mengfu work on paper?

Based on 31 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Zhao Mengfu work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $5,669, 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 small Zhao Mengfu work on paper?

Based on 25 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Zhao Mengfu work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,561, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Zhao Mengfu's auction record?

Zhao Mengfu's auction record is $29,335,563, set in 2017. 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, “Zhao Mengfu auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/mengfu-zhao (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.