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

# Zhang Zhidong (1837–1909)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 138 auction results for Zhang Zhidong at 20 houses since 1996. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,137 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,017–$1,609, n=15). The auction record is $80,801 for Seven-character Calligraphic Couplet in Running Script (2011, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seven-character Calligraphic Couplet in Running Script, 1837 | A pair of hanging scrolls, ink on yellow wax paper | $80,801 | Christie's | Nov 2011 |
| 2 | 张之洞 楷书八言联 立轴 | 楷书八言联 立轴 | $80,005 | Beijing Ginza Auction (北京银座拍卖) | Sep 2021 |
| 3 | Poetry letter to Wu Tang | Poetry letter | $31,676 | Guangzhou Huayi International Auction (Holly's) | Jun 2024 |
| 4 | CALLIGRAPHY COUPLET IN KAISHU | Ink on paper, pair of hanging scrolls | $30,583 | Sotheby's | Apr 2010 |
| 5 | 清•广雅书院旧藏张之洞铭木制对联, Qing dynasty | Wood couplet with ink and red seal | $28,552 | Xiling Yinshe Auction (西泠印社拍卖) | Jul 2024 |
| 6 | 行书论颜真卿书 | Ink on paper | $28,140 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2021 |
| 7 | Calligraphy Couplet in Kaishu | Ink on paper, set of two, framed | $19,355 | Sotheby's | Oct 2015 |
| 8 | 张之洞 信札 | 信札 (letters/correspondence) | $17,407 | Duoyunxuan Auction (上海朵云轩拍卖) | Jun 2024 |
| 9 | 张之洞手稿及手批电报等一批 单页 | Manuscript and hand-annotated telegrams | $14,414 | China Sungari International Auction (中贸圣佳国际拍卖) | Jun 2025 |
| 10 | Landscape, Flowers and Calligraphy in Various Scripts, 1863 | Ink and colour on paper | $12,325 | Bonhams | Jun 2021 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 14 | $3,491 |
| Other | 22 | $1,503 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $3,178 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 8 | $1,349 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 138 results from 20 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Zhang Zhidong is a Chinese artist with 171 auction lots recorded since 1996, median price $1,597. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Zhang Zhidong sold in 2025 for $1,950, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Zhang Zhidong work worth?

Across 138 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zhang Zhidong work is $1,597.

The median Zhang Zhidong work on paper sells for $3,822 across 38 lots.

The median Zhang Zhidong painting sells for $19,638 across 3 lots.

The median Zhang Zhidong print sells for $1,869 across 2 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 | 3 | $1,869‡ | $3,178 | 66.7% | 2024-06-13 |
| Paintings | 3 | $19,638‡ | $20,985‡ | — | 2019-11-10 |
| Works on Paper | 38 | $3,822‡ | $129,167‡ | — | 2025-12-01 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $80,801‡ | $129,167‡ | — | 2021-09-24 |

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

Zhang Zhidong's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (3 lots) median $1,869 with 66.7% sell-through. Paintings (3 lots) median $19,638, record $20,985. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. A typical Zhang Zhidong painting sells for around 11× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 5 lots) the median is $80,801.

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 11 | $885–$5,368‡ | $3,822‡ | $23,947‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 17 | $1,438–$37,145‡ | $3,985‡ | $129,167‡ |

‡ 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 | 2016 | $129,167‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $84,826‡ |
| Paintings | 2016 | $20,985‡ |
| Paintings | 2019 | $19,638‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $3,178 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $561‡ |

‡ 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 Zhidong worth?

Across 138 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zhang Zhidong work is $1,597. The median Zhang Zhidong work on paper sells for $3,822 across 38 lots. The median Zhang Zhidong painting sells for $19,638 across 3 lots. The median Zhang Zhidong print sells for $1,869 across 2 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

Based on 38 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zhang Zhidong work on paper is $3,822. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a Zhang Zhidong work on paper is $129,167. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

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

Based on 17 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Zhang Zhidong work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $3,985, 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 Zhidong work on paper?

Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Zhang Zhidong work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $3,822, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

Zhang Zhidong's auction record is $129,167, set in 2016. 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 Zhidong auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/zhang-zhidong (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.