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

# Nie Ou (b. 1948)

## What is Nie Ou’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 135 auction results for Nie Ou at 13 houses since 1999. Over the last 24 months the median price was $977 including buyer’s premium (middle half $688–$1,619, n=14). The auction record is $295,000 for Raising Animals (2015, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raising Animals | Ink and colour on paper, framed | $295,000 | Sotheby's | Dec 2015 |
| 2 | A Journey’s Cheerful Ballad in the Breeze, 2013 | Ink and colour on paper | $165,200 | Sotheby's | Jun 2015 |
| 3 | CHILDREN PLAYING IN THE VILLAGE, 1994 | Ink and colour on paper, framed, set of four | $25,791 | Sotheby's | Oct 2013 |
| 4 | 住在山村有快乐, 2004年作 | 设色纸本 | $18,070 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2012 |
| 5 | Dwellings in the Mountains, 1992 | Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll | $16,119 | Sotheby's | Oct 2014 |
| 6 | Farm Life, 1948 | Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper | $15,933 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 7 | Farm Life, 1992 | Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper | $15,925 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 8 | 人物, 1985 | Hanging scroll | $15,701 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2016 |
| 9 | 雨后, 2005 | 油画 | $13,982 | Shanghai Fanhua Auction | Jun 2016 |
| 10 | 寒冬劳作图 | 设色纸本 | $12,978 | 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 | 26 | $4,460 |
| Other | 16 | $4,440 |
| Paintings | 24 | $2,077 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 22 | $5,848 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $1,936 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 25 | $1,476 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 135 results from 13 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Nie Ou is a Chinese artist with 193 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $3,856. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Nie Ou sold in 2025 for $4,083, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Nie Ou work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Nie Ou on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/nie-ou?ref=kg:nie-ou) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Nie Ou work worth?

Across 135 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Nie Ou work is $3,856.

The median Nie Ou painting sells for $2,529 across 45 lots.

The median Nie Ou work on paper sells for $3,598 across 26 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Nie Ou paintings typically sell for $1,507–$6,396 (the middle half of 26 sold 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 48 | $2,529‡ | $41,790‡ | 93.8% | 2025-12-17 |
| Works on Paper | 27 | $3,598‡ | $295,000 | 96.3% | 2026-08-04 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $57,086‡ | $295,000 | — | 2015-12-05 |

‡ 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) | 5 | $1,672–$2,597‡ | $1,679‡ | $3,607 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 26 | $1,507–$6,396‡ | $2,363‡ | $22,361 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 10 | $2,781–$13,222‡ | $6,432‡ | $41,790‡ |

‡ 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) | 7 | $806–$1,267‡ | $963‡ | $1,290 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $3,273–$9,634‡ | $4,083‡ | $15,933 |

‡ 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 | 2015 | $295,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $165,200 |
| Paintings | 2013 | $41,790‡ |
| Paintings | 2013 | $25,791 |

‡ 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 Nie Ou worth?

Across 135 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Nie Ou work is $3,856. The median Nie Ou painting sells for $2,529 across 45 lots. The median Nie Ou work on paper sells for $3,598 across 26 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Nie Ou paintings typically sell for $1,507–$6,396 (the middle half of 26 sold lots). Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Nie Ou painting?

Based on 45 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Nie Ou painting is $2,529. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Nie Ou's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Nie Ou painting is $41,790. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a Nie Ou work on paper?

Based on 26 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Nie Ou work on paper is $3,598. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Nie Ou's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Nie Ou work on paper is $295,000.

### What is the average price of a medium Nie Ou painting?

Based on 26 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Nie Ou painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,363, 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 Nie Ou work on paper?

Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Nie Ou work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $4,083, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Nie Ou's auction record?

Nie Ou's auction record is $295,000, set in 2015.

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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, “Nie Ou auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/nie-ou (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.