Lu Yan-shao (1909–1993)
What is Lu Yan-shao’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 2,045 auction results for Lu Yan-shao at 26 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,330 including buyer’s premium (middle half $836–$9,599, n=128). The auction record is $2,375,471 for Autumn of Wu Gorge (2023, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Autumn of Wu Gorge, 1982 | Ink and colour on paper | $2,375,471 | Sotheby's | Oct 2023 |
| 2 | LANDSCAPE, 1962-1963 | Ink and colour on paper | $1,638,777 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 3 | LANDSCAPES AFTER VERSES BY CHAIRMAN MAO | Ink and colour on paper | $1,561,716 | Christie's | Apr 2001 |
| 4 | Dongting Eastern and Western Mountain Scroll, 1951 | Ink and color on paper | $1,271,068 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2024 |
| 5 | BOATING ALONG THE VALLEY, 1980 | Ink and colour on paper | $983,266 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 6 | 毛主席词意《清平乐·会昌》, 1964年作 | 设色纸本 | $937,752 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2013 |
| 7 | Long Gong Dong, 1980 | Painting | $896,887 | Beijing Ginza Auction (北京银座拍卖) | Nov 2014 |
| 8 | Gorges by the Mighty River, 1986 | Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll | $889,817 | Sotheby's | Apr 2023 |
| 9 | BOATING IN A RIVER, 1965 | Ink and colour on paper | $874,014 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 10 | Jiu Xin Tu Ce, 1965年作 | 设色纸本 | $848,566 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Sep 2015 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 95 | $30,477 |
| Paintings | 94 | $21,142 |
| Other | 208 | $16,004 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 186 | $61,840 |
| Large (over 120 cm) | 45 | $25,543 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 41 | $12,561 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 2,045 results from 26 houses · How we compute these figures
Lu Yan-shao is a Chinese artist with 2,614 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $33,390. 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 Lu Yan-shao sold in 2026 for $42,453, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Lu Yan-shao record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Lu Yan-shao on OpeningBid →What is a Lu Yan-shao work worth?
Across 2,045 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lu Yan-shao work is $33,390.
The median Lu Yan-shao painting sells for $27,607 across 441 lots.
The median Lu Yan-shao work on paper sells for $19,035 across 328 lots.
The median Lu Yan-shao print sells for $45,347 across 8 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Lu Yan-shao paintings typically sell for $14,484–$166,758 (the middle half of 147 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Lu Yan-shao work on papers typically sell for $7,920–$88,741 (the middle half of 137 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 | 11 | $45,347 | $45,347 | 72.7% | 2022-01-22 |
| Paintings | 469 | $27,607†‡ | $5.3M‡ | 94% | 2026-09-13 |
| Works on Paper | 347 | $19,035†‡ | $1.6M | 94.5% | 2026-07-20 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 8 | $13,940‡ | $50,530 | — | 2021-12-06 |
| Photography | 2 | — | — | — | 2014-06-27 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 347 | $266,177†‡ | $7.6M† | — | 2025-12-26 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Lu Yan-shao's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (11 lots) median $45,347 with 72.7% sell-through. Paintings (469 lots) median $27,607, record $5,301,608. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 347 lots) the median is $266,177.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 65 | $3,007–$23,613‡ | $11,234‡ | $241,149‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 147 | $14,484–$166,758‡ | $57,409‡ | $937,752 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 21 | $212,781–$926,388‡ | $567,939‡ | $5.3M‡ |
‡ 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) | 40 | $5,881–$87,187‡ | $18,812‡ | $743,311‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 137 | $7,920–$88,741‡ | $31,484‡ | $1.6M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 45 | $6,079–$33,390‡ | $17,865‡ | $889,817 |
‡ 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 | 2017 | $5.3M‡ |
| Paintings | 2023 | $2.4M |
| Works on Paper | 2005 | $1.6M |
| Works on Paper | 2001 | $1.6M |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2012 | $50,530 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2011 | $46,252 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $45,347 |
‡ 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 Lu Yan-shao worth?
Across 2,045 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lu Yan-shao work is $33,390. The median Lu Yan-shao painting sells for $27,607 across 441 lots. The median Lu Yan-shao work on paper sells for $19,035 across 328 lots. The median Lu Yan-shao print sells for $45,347 across 8 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Lu Yan-shao paintings typically sell for $14,484–$166,758 (the middle half of 147 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Lu Yan-shao work on papers typically sell for $7,920–$88,741 (the middle half of 137 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 Lu Yan-shao painting?
Based on 441 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lu Yan-shao painting is $27,607. 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 Lu Yan-shao's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Lu Yan-shao painting is $5,301,608. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a Lu Yan-shao work on paper?
Based on 328 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lu Yan-shao work on paper is $19,035. 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 Lu Yan-shao's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Lu Yan-shao work on paper is $1,638,777.
What is the average price of a Lu Yan-shao print?
Based on 8 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lu Yan-shao print is $45,347.
What is Lu Yan-shao's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Lu Yan-shao print is $45,347.
What is the average price of a medium Lu Yan-shao painting?
Based on 147 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Lu Yan-shao painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $57,409, 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 Lu Yan-shao work on paper?
Based on 137 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Lu Yan-shao work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $31,484, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Lu Yan-shao's auction record?
Lu Yan-shao's auction record is $7,567,441, set in 2012. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $7,567,441 (buyer's premium not included).
See the full Lu Yan-shao record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Lu Yan-shao on OpeningBid →