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

# Yu Youren (1879–1964)

## What is Yu Youren’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 586 | $8,350 |
| Works on paper | 378 | $8,087 |
| Photographs | 5 | $1,272 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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).

- [Yu Youren on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/yu-youren?ref=kg:yu-youren) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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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, “Yu Youren auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/yu-youren (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.