Yu Zhizhen (1915–1995)
What is Yu Zhizhen’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 148 auction results for Yu Zhizhen at 12 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,120 including buyer’s premium (middle half $790–$4,418, n=19). The auction record is $50,004 for 松鹤长寿 (2015, Beijing Rongbao Auction (北京荣宝拍卖)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 松鹤长寿 | 设色纸本 | $50,004 | Beijing Rongbao Auction (北京荣宝拍卖) | Jun 2015 |
| 2 | Flowers and Birds, 1978 | Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll | $11,354 | Sotheby's | Oct 2023 |
| 3 | 桃花春鸟, 1980年作 | 设色纸本 | $11,291 | Beijing Rongbao Auction (北京荣宝拍卖) | Jun 2015 |
| 4 | White Parrots, 1958 | Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll | $8,110 | Sotheby's | Oct 2023 |
| 5 | Cottonrose Hibiscus and Butterfly, 1991 | Ink and color on paper | $7,939 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | May 2024 |
| 6 | Chrysanthemum Stone Mirror Core | 设色绢本 | $7,385 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jan 2015 |
| 7 | Peach Blossoms and Mandarin Ducks, 1940 | Ink and colour on paper, hanging scroll | $7,299 | Sotheby's | Oct 2023 |
| 8 | 玉堂富贵, 1938 | 设色纸本 立轴 (color on paper, hanging scroll) | $7,285 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Mar 2025 |
| 9 | Peace and Wealth, 1986 | Ink and color on paper | $5,429 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jul 2026 |
| 10 | Shuangji Tu | 设色纸本 | $5,411 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Oct 2011 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 9 | $4,298 |
| Paintings | 18 | $3,032 |
| Other | 18 | $1,662 |
| Prints | 6 | $1,477 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $4,856 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 20 | $3,737 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $1,846 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 148 results from 12 houses · How we compute these figures
Yu Zhizhen is a Chinese artist with 190 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $1,854. 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 Zhizhen sold in 2026 for $4,284, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Yu Zhizhen record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Yu Zhizhen on OpeningBid →What is a Yu Zhizhen work worth?
Across 148 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Yu Zhizhen work is $1,854.
The median Yu Zhizhen painting sells for $2,645 across 41 lots.
The median Yu Zhizhen work on paper sells for $4,298 across 13 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 | 2 | — | — | — | 2022-12-08 |
| Paintings | 45 | $2,645‡ | $46,143‡ | 91.1% | 2026-09-11 |
| Works on Paper | 17 | $4,298‡ | $11,354 | 76.5% | 2025-08-12 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 7 | $46,143‡ | $505,896‡ | — | 2025-06-18 |
‡ 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) | 12 | $1,410–$2,354‡ | $1,845‡ | $5,521‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 16 | $1,346–$7,524‡ | $3,428‡ | $46,143‡ |
‡ 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) | 10 | $1,055–$7,048‡ | $4,800‡ | $11,354 |
‡ 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 | 2012 | $46,143‡ |
| Paintings | 2017 | $30,768‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $11,354 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $8,110 |
‡ 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 Zhizhen worth?
Across 148 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Yu Zhizhen work is $1,854. The median Yu Zhizhen painting sells for $2,645 across 41 lots. The median Yu Zhizhen work on paper sells for $4,298 across 13 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 Zhizhen painting?
Based on 41 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Yu Zhizhen painting is $2,645. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Yu Zhizhen's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Yu Zhizhen painting is $46,143. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a Yu Zhizhen work on paper?
Based on 13 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Yu Zhizhen work on paper is $4,298. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Yu Zhizhen's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Yu Zhizhen work on paper is $11,354.
What is the average price of a medium Yu Zhizhen painting?
Based on 16 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Yu Zhizhen painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $3,428, 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 small Yu Zhizhen painting?
Based on 12 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Yu Zhizhen painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,845, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Yu Zhizhen's auction record?
Yu Zhizhen's auction record is $505,896, set in 2013. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
See the full Yu Zhizhen record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Yu Zhizhen on OpeningBid →