Shi Lu (1919–1982)
What is Shi Lu’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 262 auction results for Shi Lu at 22 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $19,822 including buyer’s premium (middle half $5,317–$40,389, n=22). The auction record is $5,451,979 for FLOWERS AND FRUIT (2004, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FLOWERS AND FRUIT | Ink or in and colour on paper | $5,451,979 | Christie's | Oct 2004 |
| 2 | 牧牛图, 1962年作 | 设色纸本 | $1,943,334 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2017 |
| 3 | Lotus in Splashed Ink, 1919 | Ink | $1,236,341 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 4 | Mount Qingliang in Yan'an, 1919 | Ink | $1,044,397 | Christie's | Nov 2016 |
| 5 | Huashan Yizhang Feng, 1972年作 | 水墨纸本 | $955,780 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2017 |
| 6 | Roses | Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll | $770,461 | Sotheby's | Oct 2022 |
| 7 | Jin Gua | 设色纸本 | $722,420 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2013 |
| 8 | RED LOTUS | Ink and colour on paper, framed | $696,150 | Sotheby's | Oct 2011 |
| 9 | Picking Cotton, 1955 | Ink and color on paper | $546,600 | Bonhams | Sep 2023 |
| 10 | FLOWER Scroll | Ink and colour on paper | $546,259 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 61 | $67,692 |
| Other | 23 | $36,188 |
| Paintings | 14 | $33,592 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 23 | $85,963 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 50 | $43,509 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $37,746 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 262 results from 22 houses · How we compute these figures
Shi Lu is a Chinese artist with 384 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $52,347. 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 Shi Lu sold in 2025 for $122,398, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Shi Lu record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Shi Lu on OpeningBid →What is a Shi Lu work worth?
Across 261 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Shi Lu work is $52,347.
The median Shi Lu work on paper sells for $52,352 across 104 lots.
The median Shi Lu painting sells for $73,118 across 51 lots.
The median Shi Lu photograph sells for $4,912 across 2 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Shi Lu work on papers typically sell for $23,952–$138,991 (the middle half of 46 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Shi Lu paintings typically sell for $29,633–$336,721 (the middle half of 32 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 | 1 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Paintings | 54 | $73,118‡ | $1.8M‡ | 94.4% | 2026-09-11 |
| Works on Paper | 119 | $52,352†‡ | $5.5M | 87.4% | 2026-08-04 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Photography | 2 | $4,912‡ | $5,376‡ | — | 2024-06-13 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 79 | $331,156‡ | $6.1M‡ | — | 2025-10-11 |
† 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) | 7 | $6,643–$73,118‡ | $34,531‡ | $132,970‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 32 | $29,633–$336,721‡ | $75,888‡ | $620,612‡ |
‡ 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) | 16 | $7,766–$193,377‡ | $47,757‡ | $5.5M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 46 | $23,952–$138,991‡ | $46,573‡ | $1.2M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 28 | $33,427–$136,273†‡ | $88,513†‡ | $1.3M‡ |
† 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 | 2004 | $5.5M |
| Paintings | 2019 | $1.8M‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $1.3M‡ |
| Paintings | 2020 | $793,258‡ |
| Photography | 2010 | $5,376‡ |
| Photography | 2024 | $4,449 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Shi Lu worth?
Across 261 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Shi Lu work is $52,347. The median Shi Lu work on paper sells for $52,352 across 104 lots. The median Shi Lu painting sells for $73,118 across 51 lots. The median Shi Lu photograph sells for $4,912 across 2 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Shi Lu work on papers typically sell for $23,952–$138,991 (the middle half of 46 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Shi Lu paintings typically sell for $29,633–$336,721 (the middle half of 32 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 Shi Lu work on paper?
Based on 104 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Shi Lu work on paper is $52,352. 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 Shi Lu's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Shi Lu work on paper is $5,451,979.
What is the average price of a Shi Lu painting?
Based on 51 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Shi Lu painting is $73,118. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Shi Lu's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Shi Lu painting is $1,841,235. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a medium Shi Lu work on paper?
Based on 46 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Shi Lu work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $46,573, 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 Shi Lu painting?
Based on 32 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Shi Lu painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $75,888, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Shi Lu's auction record?
Shi Lu's auction record is $6,112,224, set in 2019. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
See the full Shi Lu record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Shi Lu on OpeningBid →