> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/zhang-yu-2 · updated 2026-11-02

# Zhang Yu (1734–1803)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 101 auction results for Zhang Yu at 17 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,188 including buyer’s premium (middle half $579–$29,258, n=5). The auction record is $177,470 for Lanting Xiuxi Story Handscroll (2008, Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lanting Xiuxi Story Handscroll | 水墨纸本 | $177,470 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | May 2008 |
| 2 | 灵光76号, 2003年作 | 纸本 水墨 | $40,276 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2007 |
| 3 | 指印2006.9-3, 2006 | — | $37,546 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2015 |
| 4 | Creek in the Pine Mountain, 1581年作 | 设色纸本 手卷 | $36,242 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Dec 2024 |
| 5 | 寒夜授经图, 1780 | Handscroll | $29,258 | Beijing Ginza Auction (北京银座拍卖) | Dec 2025 |
| 6 | 灵光 | 纸本水墨 | $28,028 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Nov 2014 |
| 7 | 修竹美人 | 设色纸本 | $25,031 | China Guardian (中国嘉德) | Oct 2015 |
| 8 | Fisherman and Music (渔乐图), Qing dynasty | Bamboo | $23,793 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Jul 2024 |
| 9 | 指印, 2003 | Framed work | $10,531 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2013 |
| 10 | 红 镜心, 2004年作 | 设色纸本 | $10,508 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2016 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 22 | $8,128 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $23,375 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 6 | $5,218 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 101 results from 17 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Zhang Yu is a Chinese artist with 136 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $5,339. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Zhang Yu sold in 2025 for $29,258, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Zhang Yu work worth?

Across 99 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zhang Yu work is $5,339.

The median Zhang Yu work on paper sells for $7,533 across 19 lots.

The median Zhang Yu painting sells for $2,786 across 13 lots.

The median Zhang Yu print sells for $1,188 across 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 1 | $1,188 | $1,188 | — | 2026-06-10 |
| Paintings | 16 | $2,786‡ | $111,555‡ | 81.3% | 2025-11-12 |
| Works on Paper | 21 | $7,533‡ | $347,785‡ | 90.5% | 2023-06-10 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | — | — | — | 2016-12-16 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $237,411‡ | $347,785‡ | — | 2019-12-03 |

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

Zhang Yu's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1 lots) median $1,188. Paintings (16 lots) median $2,786, record $111,555. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. A typical Zhang Yu painting sells for around 2.3× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 4 lots) the median is $237,411.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $579–$6,528‡ | $1,653‡ | $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) | 5 | $3,698–$9,269‡ | $5,078‡ | $42,318 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $1,237–$129,069‡ | $40,276‡ | $297,351‡ |

‡ 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 | 2018 | $347,785‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $297,351‡ |
| Paintings | 2009 | $111,555‡ |
| Paintings | 2012 | $46,143‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $1,188 |

‡ 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 Yu worth?

Across 99 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zhang Yu work is $5,339. The median Zhang Yu work on paper sells for $7,533 across 19 lots. The median Zhang Yu painting sells for $2,786 across 13 lots. The median Zhang Yu print sells for $1,188 across 1 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

Based on 19 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zhang Yu work on paper is $7,533. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a Zhang Yu work on paper is $347,785. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a Zhang Yu painting?

Based on 13 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zhang Yu painting is $2,786. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Zhang Yu's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Zhang Yu painting is $111,555. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

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

Zhang Yu's auction record is $347,785, set in 2018. 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, “Zhang Yu auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/zhang-yu-2 (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.