> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/wen-hsi-chen · updated 2026-11-03

# Wen Hsi Chen (1906–1992)

## What is Wen Hsi Chen’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 204 auction results for Wen Hsi Chen at 9 houses since 2005. Over the last 24 months the median price was $25,286 including buyer’s premium (middle half $8,766–$46,478, n=16). The auction record is $611,483 for Puppets (2023, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Puppets, 1960 | Oil paint | $611,483 | Christie's | May 2023 |
| 2 | Eight Gibbons | Ink and colour on paper | $533,400 | Sotheby's | Sep 2021 |
| 3 | Herons | Painted | $456,370 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2014 |
| 4 | Herons, 1906 | Ink | $437,500 | Christie's | Oct 2014 |
| 5 | Ducks, 1987 | Ink | $384,000 | Christie's | Oct 2016 |
| 6 | Carps in the Reeds, 1906 | Ink | $349,241 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 7 | An Indian Temple, 1974 | Oil paint | $323,956 | Christie's | Mar 2025 |
| 8 | Singapore River, 1949 | Oil paint | $304,148 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 9 | Singapore River Scene | Oil paint | $292,642 | Sotheby's | Oct 2020 |
| 10 | Nets Drying, 1950 | Oil paint | $288,922 | Christie's | May 2022 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 6 | $35,555 |
| Works on paper | 75 | $29,240 |
| Paintings | 83 | $22,652 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 30 | $61,245 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 87 | $31,952 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 47 | $11,285 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 204 results from 9 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Wen Hsi Chen is an Indonesian artist with 243 auction lots recorded since 2005, median price $22,652. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Wen Hsi Chen sold in 2026 for $275,597, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Wen Hsi Chen work worth?

Across 203 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Wen Hsi Chen work is $22,652.

The median Wen Hsi Chen work on paper sells for $21,176 across 144 lots.

The median Wen Hsi Chen painting sells for $24,880 across 52 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Wen Hsi Chen work on papers typically sell for $9,757–$38,452 (the middle half of 73 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Wen Hsi Chen work on papers typically sell for $6,401–$18,764 (the middle half of 43 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 | 78 | $24,880†‡ | $611,483 | 66.7% | 2025-03-28 |
| Works on Paper | 157 | $21,176† | $533,400 | 91.7% | 2026-03-27 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 27 | $225,804† | $611,483 | — | 2026-03-27 |

† 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) | 12 | $6,035–$13,432† | $8,383† | $23,411 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 37 | $17,497–$114,092†‡ | $38,261†‡ | $323,956 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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) | 43 | $6,401–$18,764† | $8,923† | $225,804 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 73 | $9,757–$38,452† | $21,341† | $437,500 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 26 | $48,931–$103,971† | $59,920† | $533,400 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2023 | $611,483 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $533,400 |
| Paintings | 2014 | $456,370 |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $437,500 |

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 Wen Hsi Chen worth?

Across 203 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Wen Hsi Chen work is $22,652. The median Wen Hsi Chen work on paper sells for $21,176 across 144 lots. The median Wen Hsi Chen painting sells for $24,880 across 52 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Wen Hsi Chen work on papers typically sell for $9,757–$38,452 (the middle half of 73 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Wen Hsi Chen work on papers typically sell for $6,401–$18,764 (the middle half of 43 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 Wen Hsi Chen work on paper?

Based on 144 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Wen Hsi Chen work on paper is $21,176. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Wen Hsi Chen's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Wen Hsi Chen work on paper is $533,400.

### What is the average price of a Wen Hsi Chen painting?

Based on 52 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Wen Hsi Chen painting is $24,880. 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 Wen Hsi Chen's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Wen Hsi Chen painting is $611,483.

### What is the average price of a medium Wen Hsi Chen work on paper?

Based on 73 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Wen Hsi Chen work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $21,341, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a small Wen Hsi Chen work on paper?

Based on 43 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Wen Hsi Chen work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $8,923, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Wen Hsi Chen's auction record?

Wen Hsi Chen's auction record is $611,483, set in 2023.

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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, “Wen Hsi Chen auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/wen-hsi-chen (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.