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

# Wang Zi-wu (1936–2021)

## What is Wang Zi-wu’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 17 | $16,981 |
| Other | 27 | $15,871 |
| Works on paper | 17 | $6,319 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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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, “Wang Zi-wu auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ziwu-wang (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.