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

# Sanyu (1895–1966)

## What is Sanyu’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 678 auction results for Sanyu at 22 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $19,583 including buyer’s premium (middle half $7,344–$37,010, n=121). The auction record is $38,849,650 for Five Nudes (2019, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Five Nudes, 1950 | Oil paint | $38,849,650 | Christie's | Nov 2019 |
| 2 | Chrysanthèmes blanches dans un pot bleu et blanc (White Chrysanthemum in a Blue and White Jardiniere), 1940 | Painting | $24,723,181 | Christie's | Jul 2020 |
| 3 | Fleurs dans un pot bleu et blanc | Oil on masonite | $24,135,865 | Sotheby's | Oct 2020 |
| 4 | Femme nue sur un tapis (Nude on Tapestry), 1929 | Oil paint | $24,032,061 | Christie's | Nov 2023 |
| 5 | Goldfish, 1930s–1940s | Oil on canvas | $21,951,902 | Christie's | Dec 2020 |
| 6 | NU 翹腿的裸女, 1950 | Oil on masonite | $21,763,762 | Sotheby's | Oct 2020 |
| 7 | Chrysanthèmes roses dans une corbeille (Pink Chrysanthemums in a Basket), 1931 | Oil on canvas | $17,816,167 | Christie's | Dec 2020 |
| 8 | Potted Chrysanthemums, 1950 | Oil paint | $15,278,362 | Christie's | May 2021 |
| 9 | Nu avec un pékinois, 1950 | Oil paint | $13,580,140 | Sotheby's | Apr 2021 |
| 10 | CHRYSANTHÈMES DANS UN VASE EN VERRE (CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN A GLASS VASE), 1950s | Oil on masonite | $13,354,586 | Christie's | Nov 2016 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 103 | $224,535 |
| Other | 72 | $33,738 |
| Works on paper | 260 | $32,639 |
| Prints | 28 | $8,437 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 77 | $61,288 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 295 | $37,010 |
| Large (over 120 cm) | 20 | $35,444 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 678 results from 22 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Sanyu is a Chinese-French artist with 816 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $32,314. 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 Sanyu sold in 2026 for $49,322, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**4 Sanyu works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

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

## What is a Sanyu work worth?

Across 677 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Sanyu work is $32,314.

The median Sanyu work on paper sells for $29,935 across 421 lots.

The median Sanyu painting sells for $1,999,716 across 102 lots.

The median Sanyu print sells for $4,592 across 73 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Sanyu work on papers typically sell for $19,246–$49,322 (the middle half of 357 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Sanyu paintings typically sell for $2,120,898–$7,609,976 (the middle half of 51 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 | 77 | $4,592†‡ | $622,139 | 94.8% | 2026-07-15 |
| Paintings | 106 | $2M‡ | $44.7M | 96.2% | 2026-03-27 |
| Works on Paper | 483 | $29,935‡ | $4.2M | 87.2% | 2026-09-30 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $270,644 | $270,644 | — | 2025-11-28 |
| Photography | 8 | $4,850 | $9,706 | — | 2023-08-29 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 137 | $1.1M‡ | $44.7M | — | 2026-03-27 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Sanyu's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (77 lots) median $4,592 with 94.8% sell-through. Paintings (106 lots) median $1,999,716, record $44,670,000. A typical Sanyu painting sells for around 435× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 137 lots) the median is $1,115,919.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 27 | $7,905–$31,168‡ | $14,631‡ | $622,139 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 27 | $1,072–$2,800‡ | $1,684‡ | $104,882 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $1,378–$4,592‡ | $1,696‡ | $9,708 |

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

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 36 | $57,009–$354,303‡ | $105,068‡ | $3M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 51 | $2.1M–$7.6M‡ | $5M‡ | $44.7M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $10.3M–$21.8M‡ | $13.6M‡ | $38.8M |

‡ 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) | 357 | $19,246–$49,322‡ | $30,441‡ | $4.2M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 21 | $24,871–$87,401‡ | $36,613‡ | $371,456 |

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

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $3,068–$4,853 | $4,198 | $9,706 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2013 | $44.7M |
| Paintings | 2019 | $38.8M |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $4.2M |
| Works on Paper | 2012 | $1.5M |
| Prints & Editions | 2011 | $622,139 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $274,359 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $270,644 |
| Photography | 2021 | $9,706 |

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 Sanyu worth?

Across 677 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Sanyu work is $32,314. The median Sanyu work on paper sells for $29,935 across 421 lots. The median Sanyu painting sells for $1,999,716 across 102 lots. The median Sanyu print sells for $4,592 across 73 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Sanyu work on papers typically sell for $19,246–$49,322 (the middle half of 357 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Sanyu paintings typically sell for $2,120,898–$7,609,976 (the middle half of 51 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 Sanyu work on paper?

Based on 421 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Sanyu work on paper is $29,935. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Sanyu's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Sanyu work on paper is $4,158,000.

### What is the average price of a Sanyu painting?

Based on 102 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Sanyu painting is $1,999,716. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Sanyu's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Sanyu painting is $44,670,000.

### What is the average price of a Sanyu print?

Based on 73 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Sanyu print is $4,592. 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 Sanyu's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Sanyu print is $622,139.

### What is the average price of a small Sanyu work on paper?

Based on 357 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Sanyu work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $30,441, 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 medium Sanyu painting?

Based on 51 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Sanyu painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,984,623, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Sanyu's auction record?

Sanyu's auction record is $44,670,000, set in 2013.

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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, “Sanyu auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/sanyu (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.