Wu Zuoren (1908–1997)
What is Wu Zuoren’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 1,540 auction results for Wu Zuoren at 28 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $6,988 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,533–$12,959, n=77). The auction record is $513,544 for HOME FOR THE NEEDY (2009, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HOME FOR THE NEEDY, 1958 | Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll | $513,544 | Sotheby's | Oct 2009 |
| 2 | 雄鹰图, 1975 | 立轴 | $500,487 | Beijing Council | Jun 2015 |
| 3 | 大兴安岭, 1955 年 | 木板 油画 | $482,536 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Jun 2023 |
| 4 | Happiness Courtyard, 1958 | 立轴 设色纸本 | $481,076 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | May 2025 |
| 5 | Peony, 1950 | 油彩 木板 | $374,905 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Apr 2024 |
| 6 | Seated Nude Woman, 1933年作 | 布面 油画 | $304,798 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Jul 2025 |
| 7 | Cranes, 1908 | Ink | $258,003 | Christie's | Dec 2020 |
| 8 | VARIOUS SUBJECTS, 1979 | Ink and colour on paper, album of eight leaves, framed | $249,485 | Sotheby's | Apr 2011 |
| 9 | Chung-Qing in Flame, 1940 | Oil paint | $221,068 | Christie's | Oct 2002 |
| 10 | 高原奔牦图, 1988年作 | 水墨纸本 | $209,664 | Beijing Hanhai Auction (北京翰海拍卖) | Jun 2016 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 65 | $19,423 |
| Paintings | 67 | $16,398 |
| Other | 177 | $12,234 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 24 | $16,264 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 136 | $13,498 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 53 | $13,422 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 1,540 results from 28 houses · How we compute these figures
Wu Zuoren is a Chinese artist with 1,953 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $13,941. 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 Wu Zuoren sold in 2026 for $15,259, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Wu Zuoren record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Wu Zuoren on OpeningBid →What is a Wu Zuoren work worth?
Across 1,540 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Wu Zuoren work is $13,941.
The median Wu Zuoren painting sells for $19,686 across 287 lots.
The median Wu Zuoren work on paper sells for $12,836 across 283 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Wu Zuoren paintings typically sell for $13,041–$55,905 (the middle half of 104 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Wu Zuoren work on papers typically sell for $4,921–$19,551 (the middle half of 96 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 | 2 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Paintings | 333 | $19,686†‡ | $1.3M‡ | 86.2% | 2026-05-25 |
| Works on Paper | 331 | $12,836‡ | $513,544 | 85.5% | 2026-05-24 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 56 | $241,604†‡ | $1.3M‡ | — | 2025-07-26 |
† 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) | 63 | $8,454–$28,882‡ | $16,829‡ | $304,798 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 104 | $13,041–$55,905‡ | $25,942‡ | $1.1M‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $8,203–$202,445‡ | $14,988‡ | $1.3M‡ |
‡ 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) | 41 | $3,710–$13,291‡ | $6,192‡ | $51,898 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 96 | $4,921–$19,551‡ | $12,881‡ | $97,196‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 16 | $5,006–$53,415‡ | $14,329‡ | $262,438‡ |
‡ 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 | $1.3M‡ |
| Paintings | 2021 | $1.1M‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2009 | $513,544 |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $262,438‡ |
‡ 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 Wu Zuoren worth?
Across 1,540 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Wu Zuoren work is $13,941. The median Wu Zuoren painting sells for $19,686 across 287 lots. The median Wu Zuoren work on paper sells for $12,836 across 283 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Wu Zuoren paintings typically sell for $13,041–$55,905 (the middle half of 104 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Wu Zuoren work on papers typically sell for $4,921–$19,551 (the middle half of 96 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 Wu Zuoren painting?
Based on 287 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Wu Zuoren painting is $19,686. 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 Wu Zuoren's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Wu Zuoren painting is $1,254,250. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a Wu Zuoren work on paper?
Based on 283 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Wu Zuoren work on paper is $12,836. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Wu Zuoren's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Wu Zuoren work on paper is $513,544.
What is the average price of a medium Wu Zuoren painting?
Based on 104 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Wu Zuoren painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $25,942, 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 Wu Zuoren work on paper?
Based on 96 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Wu Zuoren work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $12,881, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Wu Zuoren's auction record?
Wu Zuoren's auction record is $1,254,250, set in 2020. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
See the full Wu Zuoren record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Wu Zuoren on OpeningBid →