> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/yang-yanwen · updated 2026-11-02

# Yang Yanwen (1939–2019)

Yang Yanwen is a Chinese artist with 316 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $8,240. 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 Yang Yanwen sold in 2019 for $15,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**2 Yang Yanwen works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Yang Yanwen on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/yang-yanwen?ref=kg:yang-yanwen) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Yang Yanwen work worth?

Across 261 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Yang Yanwen work is $8,240.

The median Yang Yanwen painting sells for $8,218 across 127 lots.

The median Yang Yanwen work on paper sells for $5,640 across 17 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Yang Yanwen paintings typically sell for $5,613–$10,662 (the middle half of 92 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 | — | — | — | 2013-05-31 |
| Paintings | 127 | $8,218†‡ | $500,357‡ | — | 2024-05-25 |
| Works on Paper | 18 | $5,640‡ | $290,335 | 94.4% | 2023-08-29 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 12 | $84,349‡ | $500,357‡ | — | 2015-06-02 |

† 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 | $1,138–$4,719‡ | $2,953‡ | $13,758‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 92 | $5,613–$10,662†‡ | $8,197†‡ | $19,059‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 19 | $12,302–$27,055‡ | $19,895‡ | $500,357‡ |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $4,750–$9,744‡ | $5,625‡ | $65,551 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $5,089–$8,242‡ | $6,388‡ | $290,335 |

‡ 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 | 2009 | $500,357‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $290,335 |
| Paintings | 2011 | $177,924‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2005 | $65,551 |

‡ 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 Yang Yanwen worth?

Across 261 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Yang Yanwen work is $8,240. The median Yang Yanwen painting sells for $8,218 across 127 lots. The median Yang Yanwen work on paper sells for $5,640 across 17 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Yang Yanwen paintings typically sell for $5,613–$10,662 (the middle half of 92 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 Yang Yanwen painting?

Based on 127 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Yang Yanwen painting is $8,218. 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 Yang Yanwen's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Yang Yanwen painting is $500,357. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a Yang Yanwen work on paper?

Based on 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Yang Yanwen work on paper is $5,640. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Yang Yanwen's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Yang Yanwen work on paper is $290,335.

### What is the average price of a medium Yang Yanwen painting?

Based on 92 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Yang Yanwen painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $8,197, 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 large Yang Yanwen painting?

Based on 19 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Yang Yanwen painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $19,895, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Yang Yanwen's auction record?

Yang Yanwen's auction record is $500,357, set in 2009. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

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Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Yang Yanwen auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/yang-yanwen (updated 2026-11-02).

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.