Wang Zi-wu (1936–2021)
What is Wang Zi-wu’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 284 auction results for Wang Zi-wu at 16 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,461 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,019–$15,048, n=30). The auction record is $607,271 for Flowers (2010, Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flowers | 设色纸本 | $607,271 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Nov 2010 |
| 2 | Qi Baishi Zao Xiang, 1984 | Hanging scroll | $140,410 | Poly Auction Hong Kong (保利香港拍賣) | Oct 2013 |
| 3 | Du Shaoling Shi Yi | 设色纸本 | $86,818 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2012 |
| 4 | Portrait of Cao Xueqin | Ink and light color on paper (line drawing with light ink washes and ochre) | $70,424 | China Zhonghongxin International Auction | Dec 2020 |
| 5 | Horse, 1981 | Ink on paper | $67,186 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Oct 2020 |
| 6 | Portrait of Cao Xueqin | Ink on paper | $59,190 | Koller Auktionen | Dec 2020 |
| 7 | Shuangji Tu, 1980 | Mirror core | $55,484 | Beijing Ginza Auction (北京银座拍卖) | Jun 2024 |
| 8 | Portrait of Du Fu, 1980 | Ink and colour on paper | $49,626 | Guangdong Chongzheng Auction | Jul 2021 |
| 9 | 展翅 镜心, 1976 | — | $48,945 | Beijing Ginza Auction (北京银座拍卖) | Dec 2017 |
| 10 | Guo Se Tian Xiang, 1978年作 | 设色纸本 | $39,091 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | May 2021 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 17 | $16,981 |
| Other | 27 | $15,871 |
| Works on paper | 17 | $6,319 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 8 | $25,374 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 38 | $7,405 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 284 results from 16 houses · How we compute these figures
Wang Zi-wu is a Chinese artist with 379 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $13,430. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by Wang Zi-wu sold in 2026 for $25,472, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Wang Zi-wu record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Wang Zi-wu on OpeningBid →What is a Wang Zi-wu work worth?
Across 284 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Wang Zi-wu work is $13,430.
The median Wang Zi-wu painting sells for $13,150 across 84 lots.
The median Wang Zi-wu work on paper sells for $11,219 across 39 lots.
The median Wang Zi-wu photograph sells for $23,274 across 4 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Wang Zi-wu paintings typically sell for $6,765–$28,610 (the middle half of 35 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Wang Zi-wu work on papers typically sell for $3,519–$20,780 (the middle half of 21 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 | 88 | $13,150‡ | $92,300‡ | 95.5% | 2026-07-20 |
| Works on Paper | 39 | $11,219‡ | $210,894‡ | — | 2026-07-20 |
| Photography | 6 | $23,274‡ | $23,274‡ | 66.7% | 2025-06-18 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 10 | $160,822‡ | $711,274‡ | — | 2019-06-04 |
‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 35 | $6,765–$28,610‡ | $18,050‡ | $92,315 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $22,079–$61,571‡ | $25,276‡ | $90,478‡ |
‡ 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) | 21 | $3,519–$20,780‡ | $11,219‡ | $63,176‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 10 | $1,827–$27,447‡ | $14,788‡ | $210,894‡ |
‡ 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 | 2015 | $210,894‡ |
| Paintings | 2012 | $92,315 |
| Paintings | 2012 | $90,478‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $70,424 |
| Photography | 2013 | $33,972 |
| Photography | 2025 | $23,274‡ |
‡ 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 Wang Zi-wu worth?
Across 284 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Wang Zi-wu work is $13,430. The median Wang Zi-wu painting sells for $13,150 across 84 lots. The median Wang Zi-wu work on paper sells for $11,219 across 39 lots. The median Wang Zi-wu photograph sells for $23,274 across 4 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Wang Zi-wu paintings typically sell for $6,765–$28,610 (the middle half of 35 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Wang Zi-wu work on papers typically sell for $3,519–$20,780 (the middle half of 21 sold lots). Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is the average price of a Wang Zi-wu painting?
Based on 84 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Wang Zi-wu painting is $13,150. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Wang Zi-wu's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Wang Zi-wu painting is $92,300. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a Wang Zi-wu work on paper?
Based on 39 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Wang Zi-wu work on paper is $11,219. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Wang Zi-wu's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Wang Zi-wu work on paper is $210,894. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a medium Wang Zi-wu painting?
Based on 35 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Wang Zi-wu painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $18,050, 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 Wang Zi-wu work on paper?
Based on 21 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Wang Zi-wu work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $11,219, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Wang Zi-wu's auction record?
Wang Zi-wu's auction record is $711,274, set in 2011. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
See the full Wang Zi-wu record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Wang Zi-wu on OpeningBid →