> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/shen-zhou · updated 2026-11-03

# Shen Zhou (1427–1509)

## What is Shen Zhou’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 281 auction results for Shen Zhou at 29 houses since 1997. Over the last 24 months the median price was $73,101 including buyer’s premium (middle half $10,617–$186,335, n=19). The auction record is $2,154,078 for Planting Bamboo (2018, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Planting Bamboo, 1733 | Ink | $2,154,078 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 2 | Landscapes Dedicated to Zhu Xingfu, 1906 | Ink | $1,702,354 | Christie's | Nov 2019 |
| 3 | Travelling to River Wu, 1811 | Ink | $1,392,384 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 4 | Streams within Continuous Mountains, 1708 | Ink | $875,162 | Christie's | Oct 2025 |
| 5 | Pine Trees and Calligraphy, 1986 | Handscroll, ink on paper | $815,860 | Christie's | Oct 2026 |
| 6 | Boating across the River, 1712 | Ink | $782,508 | Christie's | Nov 2019 |
| 7 | Magnificent View of the Yangzi River | Ink and colour on paper | $599,652 | Christie's | Apr 2026 |
| 8 | Landscape in the Style of Zhao Mengfu, 1730 | Ink | $537,240 | Christie's | Jun 2024 |
| 9 | Delivering Poetry Scroll in Drizzle, 1906 | Ink | $422,359 | Christie's | Apr 2025 |
| 10 | 溪山行吟图, 1470年作 | 设色纸本 | $415,366 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2013 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 47 | $88,184 |
| Other | 40 | $5,302 |
| Paintings | 15 | $1,888 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 29 | $73,101 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 17 | $47,402 |
| Large (over 120 cm) | 35 | $30,699 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 281 results from 29 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Shen Zhou is a Chinese artist with 402 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $11,759. 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 Shen Zhou sold in 2026 for $815,860, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Shen Zhou work worth?

Across 281 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Shen Zhou work is $11,759.

The median Shen Zhou work on paper sells for $18,238 across 109 lots.

The median Shen Zhou painting sells for $8,029 across 39 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Shen Zhou work on papers typically sell for $3,618–$178,539 (the middle half of 51 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Shen Zhou work on papers typically sell for $4,644–$131,132 (the middle half of 34 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 | 42 | $8,029‡ | $922,859‡ | 92.9% | 2024-10-04 |
| Works on Paper | 120 | $18,238†‡ | $2.7M‡ | 90.8% | 2026-10-27 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 52 | $308,816‡ | $3.5M‡ | — | 2026-10-27 |

† 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) | 9 | $1,653–$23,294‡ | $3,113‡ | $49,547‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 10 | $4,316–$361,743‡ | $115,282‡ | $922,859‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $336–$38,782‡ | $1,770‡ | $129,069‡ |

‡ 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) | 15 | $9,306–$114,867‡ | $47,402‡ | $1.7M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 34 | $4,644–$131,132‡ | $24,927‡ | $2.2M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 51 | $3,618–$178,539†‡ | $15,224†‡ | $2.7M‡ |

† 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 | 2021 | $2.7M‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $2.2M |
| Paintings | 2012 | $922,859‡ |
| Paintings | 2013 | $599,581‡ |

‡ 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 Shen Zhou worth?

Across 281 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Shen Zhou work is $11,759. The median Shen Zhou work on paper sells for $18,238 across 109 lots. The median Shen Zhou painting sells for $8,029 across 39 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Shen Zhou work on papers typically sell for $3,618–$178,539 (the middle half of 51 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Shen Zhou work on papers typically sell for $4,644–$131,132 (the middle half of 34 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 Shen Zhou work on paper?

Based on 109 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Shen Zhou work on paper is $18,238. 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 Shen Zhou's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Shen Zhou work on paper is $2,709,989. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a Shen Zhou painting?

Based on 39 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Shen Zhou painting is $8,029. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Shen Zhou's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Shen Zhou painting is $922,859. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a large Shen Zhou work on paper?

Based on 51 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Shen Zhou work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $15,224, 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 medium Shen Zhou work on paper?

Based on 34 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Shen Zhou work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $24,927, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Shen Zhou's auction record?

Shen Zhou's auction record is $3,462,083, set in 2016. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Shen Zhou auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/shen-zhou (updated 2026-11-03).

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.