Throughout history, certain artists have created masterpieces that continue to evoke deep emotions and captivate audiences for centuries. Their timeless art tells stories that resonate profoundly with admirers, making their works highly prized and valued. This enduring appeal has transformed art into a coveted collectable and lucrative investment.
7 of the Most Expensive Paintings in the World
A recent study revealed that between 1995 and 2022, contemporary art appreciated at an annual growth rate of 12.6%, surpassing the performance of the S&P 500. Among these rare and invaluable pieces, only a select few have reached the pinnacle of the art market, fetching prices in the hundreds of millions of dollars. This guide uncovers the stories behind these extraordinary pieces, exploring what made them some of the most expensive artworks ever sold.
1. Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci – $450 million
Leonardo da Vinci's "Salvator Mundi," depicting Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the World, sold for $450 million at a New York auction in 2017 to a close ally of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, making it the most expensive artwork ever auctioned. This masterpiece vanished for two centuries before resurfacing in 2005, heavily damaged, and purchased for just $1,175 at a New Orleans auction. Its transformation was masterfully handled by renowned art restorer Dianne Modestini. The "Salvator Mundi" sparked global fascination and debate, with some experts questioning its authenticity and suggesting that it may have been partly painted by Da Vinci's students. Despite these controversies, it remains a landmark in art history.
2. Interchange by Willem de Kooning – $300 million
Willem de Kooning's "Interchange," an abstract expressionist masterpiece, became the world's second most valuable painting with its $300 million sale in September 2015. This private transaction saw the artwork move from David Geffen to Kenneth C. Griffin, CEO of Citadel. "Interchange" marks a pivotal shift in de Kooning's style from figurative to abstract urban landscapes, with its dynamic composition centred around a reclining woman in a pink hue. Revered as an "artist’s artist," de Kooning profoundly influenced the Abstract Expressionist movement. Currently displayed at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, Florida, it showcases de Kooning's energetic, gestural brushwork.
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3. The Card Players by Paul Cézanne – $250 million
Paul Cézanne's "The Card Players" is part of a series of five oil paintings from the 1890s, depicting Provençal peasants playing a card game. These works reflect Cézanne's shift towards portraying everyday life with a calm, simplified solidity. Departing from his earlier, more dramatic, and colourful pieces, the series highlights his mastery in capturing the serene focus of the players. While most of the series resides in prominent museums worldwide, one painting was sold to the Qatari royal family for $250 million in 2011. This monumental sale underscores Cézanne's lasting impact as the 'father of modern art.'
4. When Will You Marry? By Paul Gauguin – $210 million
Paul Gauguin's "When Will You Marry?" (Nafea Faa Ipoipo?) is a Post-Impressionist masterpiece completed in 1892 during his first trip to Tahiti. The artwork features two Tahitian women against a lush landscape, highlighting Gauguin's fascination with Tahitian culture. The painting focuses on a young woman donning a white flower in her hair (in traditional Tahitian culture, a flower in the hair indicates the person is ready for marriage) and her mother sitting protectively over her. After decades on loan to the Kunstmuseum in Basel, Switzerland, it was acquired by Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani in February 2015 for nearly $210 million, making it one of the art world's most significant transactions. It was displayed at the Fondation Beyeler until June 2015.
5. Number 17A by Jackson Pollock – $200 million
"Number 17A" by Jackson Pollock, created in 1948, exemplifies his groundbreaking drip painting technique that propelled the Abstract Expressionism movement. The artwork is a vibrant, intricate web of dripped and splattered paint, where the act of painting itself becomes the artwork's focus. Pollock's method involved pouring paint onto a canvas laid on the floor, capturing motion and emotion through dynamic movements. This kaleidoscopic piece, a testament to Pollock's innovative style, was purchased by billionaire Kenneth C. Griffin in 2015 for $200 million from the David Geffen Foundation making it one of the most expensive artworks ever sold. Currently on loan to the Art Institute of Chicago, it continues to captivate audiences with its explosive creativity.
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6. The Standard-Bearer by Rembrandt – $198 million
"The Standard-Bearer" by Rembrandt, painted in 1636, is hailed as one of the artist's most stunning masterpieces. This artwork from the Dutch Golden Age showcases Rembrandt's skill in capturing human emotion and his mastery of chiaroscuro – utilising light and shadow. The painting, possibly a self-portrait, features a military figure in lavish attire holding an unfurled banner, reflecting Rembrandt's fascination with historical and allegorical themes. Once owned by England’s King George IV, it was later acquired by the Rothschild family. In 2022, the Dutch government purchased it for €175 million (approximately $198 million), securing its place in the national collection. Rembrandt's legacy continues to influence artists and captivate audiences worldwide, with the artwork now on special display across Dutch museums.
7. Shot Sage Blue Marilyn by Andy Warhol – $195 million
Andy Warhol's "Shot Sage Blue Marilyn" epitomises his signature silk-screen technique, capturing his fascination with Hollywood. This painting is part of a five-piece series that immortalised Marilyn Monroe’s Hollywood glamour, using a cropped publicity photo from the film Niagra. The artwork gained notoriety when performance artist Dorothy Podber shot at four of the series, leaving a mark on both the artwork and its history. It shook the art world when the hammer dropped at $195 million in a 2022 auction, setting records for American artist sales and 20th-century art.
Special Mention – Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa
The Mona Lisa is not only the most famous painting in the world but also the most expensive. In 1962, it was insured for $100 million, equivalent to nearly a billion dollars today. Legally, the painting belongs to the French, making it virtually unsellable and difficult to assign an exact value. Historians believe it was painted between 1503 and 1517 and owned by French royalty for centuries. Notably, it briefly adorned Napoleon's bedroom and has been part of the Louvre Museum's collection in Paris since 1797.
Closing Thoughts
Art is the ultimate expression of human creativity, skill, and imagination, conveying intimate concepts beyond the reach of words. It can inspire wonder, hope, cynicism, or despair, and its expression is limited only by the artist's imagination. These remarkable paintings showcase the brilliance of celebrated artists and the extraordinary measures collectors take to own a piece of history. Through their masterpieces, we get a glimpse of the deep impact of contemporary art, as well as the immense value placed on these timeless creations by those who cherish and invest in them.
