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

# Zhang Ruitu (1570–1641)

## What is Zhang Ruitu’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 290 auction results for Zhang Ruitu at 18 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $30,765 including buyer’s premium (middle half $5,597–$105,590, n=25). The auction record is $3,210,000 for Landscapes and Calligraphy (2020, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Landscapes and Calligraphy, 1866 | Album of fourteen double leaves, ink on gold-flecked paper | $3,210,000 | Christie's | Sep 2020 |
| 2 | 行书《后赤壁赋》并《赤壁怀古》 | 水墨绢本 | $833,441 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | May 2015 |
| 3 | POEM IN CURSIVE SCRIPT CALLIGRAPHY | Calligraphy | $597,286 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 4 | 草书七言诗 | 水墨绫本 | $556,097 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2015 |
| 5 | Panel Screen of Du Fu’s Verses | Folding screen | $487,337 | Christie's | Apr 2025 |
| 6 | 草书杜甫《渼陂行》卷 | Handscroll | $475,292 | Guangzhou Huayi International Auction (Holly's) | Nov 2007 |
| 7 | Calligraphy in Cursive Script, 1741 | Burlap | $424,968 | Christie's | Oct 2025 |
| 8 | DU FU'S POEM "OUT WANDERING" IN CURSIVE SCRIPT | Ink on paper, hanging scroll | $365,000 | Sotheby's | Mar 2013 |
| 9 | Calligraphy of He Jingming's Poem | Calligraphy on hanging scroll | $351,025 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2013 |
| 10 | Tang Poems in Running-Cursive Script, 1912 | Ink | $341,136 | Christie's | Apr 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 35 | $48,647 |
| Other | 55 | $19,311 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 45 | $45,406 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $41,290 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 15 | $6,283 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 290 results from 18 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Zhang Ruitu is a Chinese artist with 447 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $39,939. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Zhang Ruitu sold in 2026 for $162,068, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Zhang Ruitu work worth?

Across 290 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zhang Ruitu work is $39,939.

The median Zhang Ruitu work on paper sells for $50,882 across 160 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Zhang Ruitu work on papers typically sell for $12,057–$164,384 (the middle half of 94 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Zhang Ruitu work on papers typically sell for $1,224–$73,543 (the middle half of 22 sold lots).

Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 3 | — | — | — | 2007-03-18 |
| Works on Paper | 192 | $50,882‡ | $3.2M | 83.3% | 2026-04-28 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 56 | $243,486‡ | $3.2M | — | 2026-04-28 |

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 18 | $31,302–$257,077‡ | $72,201‡ | $3.2M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 22 | $1,224–$73,543‡ | $20,137‡ | $189,956‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 94 | $12,057–$164,384‡ | $52,517‡ | $2.9M‡ |

‡ 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 | 2020 | $3.2M |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $2.9M‡ |

‡ 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 Zhang Ruitu worth?

Across 290 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zhang Ruitu work is $39,939. The median Zhang Ruitu work on paper sells for $50,882 across 160 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Zhang Ruitu work on papers typically sell for $12,057–$164,384 (the middle half of 94 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Zhang Ruitu work on papers typically sell for $1,224–$73,543 (the middle half of 22 sold lots). Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Zhang Ruitu work on paper?

Based on 160 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zhang Ruitu work on paper is $50,882. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Zhang Ruitu's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Zhang Ruitu work on paper is $3,210,000.

### What is the average price of a large Zhang Ruitu work on paper?

Based on 94 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Zhang Ruitu work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $52,517, 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 Zhang Ruitu work on paper?

Based on 22 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Zhang Ruitu work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $20,137, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Zhang Ruitu's auction record?

Zhang Ruitu's auction record is $3,210,000, set in 2020.

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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, “Zhang Ruitu auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/zhang-ruitu (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.