Core Insights - The auction of Wang Shaofei's watercolor masterpiece "Divine Comedy" reached a record price of 8 billion yen (approximately 55 million USD, or 390 million RMB), setting a new global record for watercolor paintings [1][7][10] - This auction price surpassed the previous record held by Van Gogh's watercolor landscape, which sold for 35.9 million USD (approximately 230 million RMB), highlighting the rising influence of Eastern art in the international market [1][7] - Wang Shaofei has now become the highest-selling living Chinese painter for 2025, further enhancing his artistic influence and market value [1][6] Auction Details - The auction took place on September 17, 2025, on Yahoo Auction, a prominent international auction platform in Japan [1][7] - The artwork "Divine Comedy" was initially valued at around 800,000 yen and had previously been exhibited at a public price of 3.8 billion yen in 2010, indicating a value increase of over 10,000 times in more than 30 years [7][9] - The buyer is reported to be a European collector, and the auction process did not involve competitive bidding, allowing the piece to be acquired at nearly half its market evaluation of over 100 million USD [7][10] Artist Background - Wang Shaofei is recognized as a leading figure in Eastern art and is known for his diverse artistic explorations, including ink, watercolor, and oil painting [6][10] - His earlier work "High Sun" also achieved record prices, establishing his esteemed position in the global art market [6] - The recent auction price coincides with the global population of 8 billion, symbolizing a collective cultural value [10] Market Trends - Wang Shaofei's artworks have shown a rare trend of steady price increases without any declines, making them highly sought after by collectors and investors [10] - The ongoing auction of another early oil painting by Wang Shaofei, titled "Fate," has generated significant interest due to the scarcity of his oil paintings in the market [10]