Artworks can fetch astonishingly high prices in the world of fine art. Here are some of the top most expensive artworks ever sold:
1. “Salvator Mundi” by Leonardo da Vinci
Sold for a staggering $450.3 million in 2017, “Salvator Mundi” is the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction. This masterpiece by da Vinci depicts Christ holding a crystal orb, representing the world.
2. “Interchange” by Willem de Kooning
Sold for $300 million in a private sale, “Interchange” is a vibrant abstract expressionist painting by de Kooning. It showcases his bold brushwork and dynamic use of color.
3. “The Card Players” by Paul Cézanne
A series of five paintings, “The Card Players” was sold in a private sale for a total of approximately $250 million. These post-impressionist works by Cézanne depict men engrossed in a game of cards.
4. “Nafea Faa Ipoipo?” (When Will You Marry?) by Paul Gauguin
Sold for around $210 million in a private sale, this painting by Gauguin features two Tahitian women. It is renowned for its vibrant colors and depiction of indigenous culture.
5. “No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red)” by Mark Rothko
Sold for $186 million in a private sale, this abstract expressionist painting by Rothko is known for its large-scale, color-field composition. It showcases the artist’s signature style of stacked rectangular forms.
6. “Les Femmes d’Alger (Version ‘O’)” by Pablo Picasso
Sold for $179.4 million in 2015, this iconic painting by Picasso is part of his renowned series depicting female figures inspired by Eugène Delacroix’s “The Women of Algiers.”
7. “Nu couché” by Amedeo Modigliani
Sold for $170.4 million in 2015, this reclining nude painting by Modigliani is recognized for its sensuous curves and elongated forms, characteristic of the artist’s style.
8. “Pendant Portraits of Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit” by Rembrandt
These two portraits were jointly acquired by the Louvre Museum in Paris and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam for a combined total of €160 million (approximately $180 million). Painted by Rembrandt in the 17th century, these grand-scale portraits depict a wealthy couple.
These jaw-dropping price tags demonstrate the immense value placed on iconic artworks, driven by their historical significance, artistic mastery, and rarity. The art market continues to fascinate and intrigue as collectors and institutions vie for these extraordinary pieces.
