Art can be both a reflection of cultural values and a significant financial investment. Here are the ten most expensive paintings ever sold:
Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci
Salvator Mundi, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, was sold for a record-breaking $450.3 million. Its sale highlighted the immense value placed on rare and historically significant artworks.
Interchange by Willem de Kooning
Willem de Kooning’s abstract expressionist painting Interchange was sold for $300 million, making it one of the highest-priced paintings in recent history.
The Card Players by Paul Cézanne
Paul Cézanne’s The Card Players fetched $250 million. The painting’s price reflects its importance in the development of modern art.
Nafea Faa Ipoipo by Paul Gauguin
Paul Gauguin’s Nafea Faa Ipoipo, or “When Will You Marry?”, was sold for $210 million. It’s known for its vibrant colors and depiction of Tahitian life.
Number 17A by Jackson Pollock
Jackson Pollock’s Number 17A was sold for $200 million. It’s a prime example of Pollock’s unique drip painting technique.
No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red) by Mark Rothko
Mark Rothko’s No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red) was sold for $186 million. Rothko’s abstract works are highly valued for their emotional depth and color field techniques.
Les Femmes d’Alger by Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso’s Les Femmes d’Alger was sold for $179.4 million. The painting is part of Picasso’s series inspired by Eugène Delacroix.
When Will You Marry? by Gustav Klimt
Gustav Klimt’s When Will You Marry? was sold for $150 million. The painting is renowned for its ornate details and symbolic representation.
Pendant Portraits of Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit by Rembrandt
Rembrandt’s Pendant Portraits, sold for $180 million, are celebrated for their detailed portrayal of 17th-century Amsterdam’s elite.
Woman III by Willem de Kooning
Willem de Kooning’s Woman III was sold for $137.5 million. The painting is notable for its expressive and abstract representation of the female form.