Zao Wou-ki (1921–2013)
What is Zao Wou-ki’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 3,605 auction results for Zao Wou-ki at 115 houses since 1991. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,780 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,346–$11,656, n=413). The auction record is $64,570,000 for 30.09.65 (2024, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30.09.65, 1965 | Oil paint | $64,570,000 | Christie's | Nov 2024 |
| 2 | Voie Lactée - 09.11.1956, 1956 | Oil paint | $56,400,000 | Christie's | Sep 2019 |
| 3 | 13.02.92, 1992 | Oil paint | $45,600,000 | Christie's | Sep 2018 |
| 4 | Sous Bois Dans La Nuit | Oil on canvas | $35,990,000 | Sotheby's | Jun 2014 |
| 5 | 29.09.64., 1964 | Oil paint | $35,414,626 | Christie's | May 2022 |
| 6 | 24.12.2002 – Diptyque, 2002 | Oil paint | $33,600,000 | Christie's | Sep 2017 |
| 7 | 29.01.64, 1964 | Oil paint | $25,945,401 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 8 | Le soir à l’Hôtel du Palais (Palace Hotel by night), 2004 | Oil paint | $24,360,000 | Christie's | Mar 2022 |
| 9 | Et la terre était sans forme | Painting | $23,305,111 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Mar 2018 |
| 10 | Triptyque 1987-1988, 1987 | Oil paint | $22,678,245 | Christie's | May 2019 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 506 | $961,301 |
| Works on paper | 232 | $79,798 |
| Other | 289 | $23,507 |
| Sculpture | 43 | $15,928 |
| Prints | 1,533 | $4,365 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 145 | $2,168,319 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 1,300 | $5,907 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 798 | $5,292 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 3,605 results from 115 houses · How we compute these figures
Zao Wou-ki is a French artist with 4,072 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $6,000. 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 Zao Wou-ki sold in 2026 for $33,516, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
4 Zao Wou-ki works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Zao Wou-ki free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Zao Wou-ki record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Zao Wou-ki on OpeningBid →What is a Zao Wou-ki work worth?
Across 3,583 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zao Wou-ki work is $6,000.
The median Zao Wou-ki print sells for $3,863 across 2,096 lots.
The median Zao Wou-ki painting sells for $1,084,628 across 665 lots.
The median Zao Wou-ki work on paper sells for $79,798 across 328 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Zao Wou-ki prints typically sell for $2,707–$5,750 (the middle half of 1,136 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) Zao Wou-ki prints typically sell for $1,791–$5,672 (the middle half of 684 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 | 2,298 | $3,863†‡ | $321,390 | 91.2% | 2026-10-28 |
| Paintings | 697 | $1.1M‡ | $116M | 95.4% | 2026-09-30 |
| Works on Paper | 349 | $79,798†‡ | $1.9M | 94% | 2026-05-12 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Photography | 2 | $5,177 | $8,059 | — | 2026-03-20 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 794 | $885,944‡ | $116M | — | 2026-10-05 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Zao Wou-ki's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (2,298 lots) median $3,863 with 91.2% sell-through. Paintings (697 lots) median $1,084,628, record $115,975,000. A typical Zao Wou-ki painting sells for around 281× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 794 lots) the median is $885,944.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 684 | $1,791–$5,672†‡ | $3,402†‡ | $321,390 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 1,136 | $2,707–$5,750†‡ | $3,960†‡ | $108,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 21 | $2,917–$7,383† | $4,958† | $47,039 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 80 | $102,548–$410,282‡ | $238,053‡ | $10.9M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 350 | $594,963–$2M‡ | $1.1M‡ | $19M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 144 | $1.5M–$6.2M‡ | $2.8M‡ | $116M |
‡ 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) | 158 | $32,247–$96,395†‡ | $64,416†‡ | $420,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 105 | $58,616–$207,019‡ | $96,738‡ | $1.9M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $104,778–$192,674 | $156,830 | $1.2M |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ 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 | 2018 | $116M |
| Paintings | 2016 | $70.7M |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $1.9M |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $1.8M |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $321,390 |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $108,000 |
| Photography | 2014 | $8,059 |
| Photography | 2026 | $2,295 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Zao Wou-ki worth?
Across 3,583 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zao Wou-ki work is $6,000. The median Zao Wou-ki print sells for $3,863 across 2,096 lots. The median Zao Wou-ki painting sells for $1,084,628 across 665 lots. The median Zao Wou-ki work on paper sells for $79,798 across 328 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Zao Wou-ki prints typically sell for $2,707–$5,750 (the middle half of 1,136 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Zao Wou-ki prints typically sell for $1,791–$5,672 (the middle half of 684 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 Zao Wou-ki print?
Based on 2,096 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zao Wou-ki print is $3,863. 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 Zao Wou-ki's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Zao Wou-ki print is $321,390.
What is the average price of a Zao Wou-ki painting?
Based on 665 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zao Wou-ki painting is $1,084,628. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Zao Wou-ki's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Zao Wou-ki painting is $115,975,000.
What is the average price of a Zao Wou-ki work on paper?
Based on 328 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zao Wou-ki work on paper is $79,798. 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 Zao Wou-ki's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Zao Wou-ki work on paper is $1,890,000.
What is the average price of a medium Zao Wou-ki print?
Based on 1,136 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Zao Wou-ki print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $3,960, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 small Zao Wou-ki print?
Based on 684 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Zao Wou-ki print (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,402, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 Zao Wou-ki's auction record?
Zao Wou-ki's auction record is $115,975,000, set in 2018.
See the full Zao Wou-ki record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Zao Wou-ki on OpeningBid →