Yu Youren (1879–1964)
What is Yu Youren’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 3,130 auction results for Yu Youren at 39 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,917 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,302–$9,518, n=334). The auction record is $556,253 for 昭陵六骏之什伐赤拓片 (2011, Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 昭陵六骏之什伐赤拓片, 1917年作 | 纸本 横披 | $556,253 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Dec 2011 |
| 2 | Calligraphy in Cursive Script, 1879 | Hanging scrolls | $489,645 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 3 | 草书十二言联, 1960 | Ink and gold on paper | $328,466 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Oct 2020 |
| 4 | Five-character Calligraphic Couplet, 1879 | Hanging scrolls | $286,684 | Christie's | May 2019 |
| 5 | Calligraphy, 1879 | Scrolls | $175,738 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 6 | 于右任 行书诗文、行书五言联 立轴 | 水墨纸本 | $170,624 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Nov 2021 |
| 7 | 行书五言联 | Hanging scroll | $152,114 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2013 |
| 8 | Five-character Calligraphic Couplet in Running Script, 1879 | A pair of hanging scrolls, ink on patterned silk | $145,055 | Christie's | May 2024 |
| 9 | Jing Xin | 水墨纸本 | $144,961 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2011 |
| 10 | Wei Bei Wu Yan Lian · Wei Bei Zhong Tang 「Lu You Nong Sang Shi」 | Hanging scroll | $133,790 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Apr 2018 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 586 | $8,350 |
| Works on paper | 378 | $8,087 |
| Photographs | 5 | $1,272 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 325 | $11,898 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 345 | $6,563 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 31 | $4,838 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 3,130 results from 39 houses · How we compute these figures
Yu Youren is a Chinese artist with 3,845 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $8,980. 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 Yu Youren sold in 2026 for $29,815, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
1 Yu Youren work is coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Yu Youren free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Yu Youren record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Yu Youren on OpeningBid →What is a Yu Youren work worth?
Across 3,126 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Yu Youren work is $8,980.
The median Yu Youren work on paper sells for $9,518 across 1,618 lots.
The median Yu Youren photograph sells for $1,223 across 20 lots.
The median Yu Youren painting sells for $6,784 across 5 lots.
Large (over 120 cm) Yu Youren work on papers typically sell for $6,539–$28,455 (the middle half of 714 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Yu Youren work on papers typically sell for $4,102–$11,550 (the middle half of 702 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 | 3 | $1,164‡ | $2,909‡ | — | 2023-03-27 |
| Paintings | 5 | $6,784‡ | $23,205‡ | — | 2024-09-13 |
| Works on Paper | 1,638 | $9,518‡ | $1.2M‡ | — | 2026-10-09 |
| Photography | 22 | $1,223‡ | $19,036 | 90.9% | 2025-10-27 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 101 | $94,839†‡ | $1.2M‡ | — | 2025-12-15 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Yu Youren's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (3 lots) median $1,164. Paintings (5 lots) median $6,784, record $23,205. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. A typical Yu Youren painting sells for around 5.8× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 101 lots) the median is $94,839.
Price by size
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 49 | $3,173–$13,990‡ | $4,892‡ | $185,499‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 702 | $4,102–$11,550‡ | $7,107‡ | $1.2M‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 714 | $6,539–$28,455‡ | $13,462‡ | $489,645 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $420–$2,706‡ | $977‡ | $2,780‡ |
‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2012 | $1.2M‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $489,645 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $23,205‡ |
| Photography | 2025 | $19,036 |
| Photography | 2021 | $15,475‡ |
| Paintings | 2013 | $13,056‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $2,909‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $1,164‡ |
‡ 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 Yu Youren worth?
Across 3,126 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Yu Youren work is $8,980. The median Yu Youren work on paper sells for $9,518 across 1,618 lots. The median Yu Youren photograph sells for $1,223 across 20 lots. The median Yu Youren painting sells for $6,784 across 5 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Yu Youren work on papers typically sell for $6,539–$28,455 (the middle half of 714 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Yu Youren work on papers typically sell for $4,102–$11,550 (the middle half of 702 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 Yu Youren work on paper?
Based on 1,618 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Yu Youren work on paper is $9,518. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Yu Youren's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Yu Youren work on paper is $1,199,895. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a Yu Youren photograph?
Based on 20 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Yu Youren photograph is $1,223. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Yu Youren's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Yu Youren photograph is $19,036.
What is the average price of a large Yu Youren work on paper?
Based on 714 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Yu Youren work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $13,462, 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 Yu Youren work on paper?
Based on 702 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Yu Youren work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $7,107, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Yu Youren's auction record?
Yu Youren's auction record is $1,199,895, set in 2012. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
See the full Yu Youren record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Yu Youren on OpeningBid →