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

# Lu Yan-shao (1909–1993)

## What is Lu Yan-shao’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 2,037 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.

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

| # | 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 | Collection of Famous Mountains | 设色纸本 | $1,030,018 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2006 |
| 6 | BOATING ALONG THE VALLEY, 1980 | Ink and colour on paper | $983,266 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 7 | 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 |
| 8 | Long Gong Dong, 1980 | Painting | $896,887 | Beijing Ginza Auction (北京银座拍卖) | Nov 2014 |
| 9 | Gorges by the Mighty River, 1986 | Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll | $889,817 | Sotheby's | Apr 2023 |
| 10 | BOATING IN A RIVER, 1965 | Ink and colour on paper | $874,014 | Christie's | May 2005 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 102 | $29,746 |
| Paintings | 108 | $23,400 |
| Other | 249 | $22,264 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 212 | $62,095 |
| Large (over 120 cm) | 48 | $30,188 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 57 | $16,167 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 2,037 results from 26 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Lu Yan-shao is a Chinese artist with 2,595 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $33,114. 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.

## What is a Lu Yan-shao work worth?

Across 2,037 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lu Yan-shao work is $33,114.

The median Lu Yan-shao painting sells for $27,287 across 440 lots.

The median Lu Yan-shao work on paper sells for $21,528 across 324 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 $14,480–$166,913 (the middle half of 146 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Lu Yan-shao work on papers typically sell for $7,987–$90,136 (the middle half of 134 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 | 468 | $27,287†‡ | $5.3M‡ | 94% | 2026-09-13 |
| Works on Paper | 343 | $21,528†‡ | $1.6M | 94.5% | 2026-07-20 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 8 | $22,964‡ | $50,530 | — | 2021-12-06 |
| Photography | 2 | — | — | — | 2014-06-27 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 349 | $259,656†‡ | $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 (468 lots) median $27,287, 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, 349 lots) the median is $259,656.

## 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) | 146 | $14,480–$166,913‡ | $56,806‡ | $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) | 39 | $5,757–$98,037‡ | $19,041‡ | $743,311‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 134 | $7,987–$90,136‡ | $32,133‡ | $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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Lu Yan-shao worth?

Across 2,037 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lu Yan-shao work is $33,114. The median Lu Yan-shao painting sells for $27,287 across 440 lots. The median Lu Yan-shao work on paper sells for $21,528 across 324 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 $14,480–$166,913 (the middle half of 146 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Lu Yan-shao work on papers typically sell for $7,987–$90,136 (the middle half of 134 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 440 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lu Yan-shao painting is $27,287. 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 324 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lu Yan-shao work on paper is $21,528. 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 146 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Lu Yan-shao painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $56,806, 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 134 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Lu Yan-shao work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $32,133, 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).

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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, “Lu Yan-shao auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/yanshao-lu (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.