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

# Yuan Songnian (1895–1966)

## What is Yuan Songnian’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 344 auction results for Yuan Songnian at 14 houses since 1995. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,055 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,270–$4,247, n=11). The auction record is $33,416 for Lijiang Yule (2016, 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 | Lijiang Yule, 1949年作 | 设色纸本 | $33,416 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2016 |
| 2 | Spring by the Lake, 1942 | Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll | $9,851 | Sotheby's | Nov 2020 |
| 3 | 富春帆影, 1946 | 镜心 | $9,387 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2015 |
| 4 | Inquiring The Way To The Taoyuan, 1949 | Ink and color on paper | $8,165 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2025 |
| 5 | 渔舟归途 | 设色纸本 | $7,354 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Apr 2014 |
| 6 | Four Seasons Landscapes, 1948 | Painting | $7,222 | Duoyunxuan Auction (上海朵云轩拍卖) | Jul 2025 |
| 7 | Shu Long Ji Tuan, 1945 | 纸本 | $7,009 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Mar 2021 |
| 8 | 策杖图, 1941年作 | 设色纸本 | $6,528 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Nov 2005 |
| 9 | Waves Lap Under Willows as the Orioles Trill, 1895 | Ink and colours on paper, hanging scroll, mounted and framed | $6,488 | Christie's | Jul 2018 |
| 10 | Misty Rain over South Lake, 1895 | Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll | $5,717 | Bonhams | Apr 2026 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 8 | $3,774 |
| Works on paper | 14 | $3,236 |
| Other | 25 | $2,530 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $6,528 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 23 | $3,242 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 344 results from 14 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Yuan Songnian is a Chinese artist with 392 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $2,766. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Yuan Songnian sold in 2026 for $2,778, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Yuan Songnian work worth?

Across 344 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Yuan Songnian work is $2,766.

The median Yuan Songnian painting sells for $4,239 across 60 lots.

The median Yuan Songnian work on paper sells for $3,230 across 29 lots.

The median Yuan Songnian photograph sells for $2,123 across 6 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 | 61 | $4,239‡ | $30,591‡ | — | 2025-07-05 |
| Works on Paper | 30 | $3,230‡ | $9,851 | 96.7% | 2026-06-16 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | — | — | — | 2005-07-08 |
| Photography | 6 | $2,123 | $2,123 | — | 2025-12-19 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $22,856‡ | $33,416 | — | 2020-12-05 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 12 | $1,800–$5,885‡ | $2,677‡ | $18,973‡ |

‡ 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) | 12 | $2,441–$5,910‡ | $3,783‡ | $9,851 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2020 | $30,591‡ |
| Paintings | 2020 | $22,944‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $9,851 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $8,165 |
| Photography | 2025 | $2,123 |

‡ 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 Yuan Songnian worth?

Across 344 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Yuan Songnian work is $2,766. The median Yuan Songnian painting sells for $4,239 across 60 lots. The median Yuan Songnian work on paper sells for $3,230 across 29 lots. The median Yuan Songnian photograph sells for $2,123 across 6 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Yuan Songnian painting?

Based on 60 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Yuan Songnian painting is $4,239. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Yuan Songnian's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Yuan Songnian painting is $30,591. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a Yuan Songnian work on paper?

Based on 29 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Yuan Songnian work on paper is $3,230. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Yuan Songnian's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Yuan Songnian work on paper is $9,851.

### What is the average price of a medium Yuan Songnian painting?

Based on 12 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Yuan Songnian painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,677, 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 Yuan Songnian work on paper?

Based on 12 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Yuan Songnian work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $3,783, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Yuan Songnian's auction record?

Yuan Songnian's auction record is $33,416, set in 2016.

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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, “Yuan Songnian auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/songnian-yuan (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.