Most Expensive Paintings of the World
Artistic brilliance and financial extravagance
The art market, encompassing both public auctions and private sales, has seen jaw-dropping amounts exchanged for iconic paintings. Heres a look at the most expensive paintings globally, reflecting the intersection of artistic brilliance and financial extravagance.
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Le Rêve, Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picassos ‘Le Rêve’ was acquired by billionaire trader Steven A. Cohen for $155 million in 2013. The paintings value today is estimated at around $194 million.
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Shot Sage Blue Marilyn, Andy Warhol
Christies auctioned the famous Sage Blue version of Andy Warhols ‘Shot Marilyn’ for a staggering $195.04 million in 2022.
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Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, Gustav Klimt
Cosmetics magnate Ronald S Lauder reportedly purchased Gustav Klimts ‘Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I’ in 2006 for $135 million, equivalent to approximately $196 million today.
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No. 5, 1948, Jackson Pollock
Hollywood entertainment magnate David Geffen sold Jackson Pollocks ‘No. 5, 1948,’ in 2006 for a staggering $140 million, equivalent to over $200 million in todays valuation.
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Nu couché, Amedeo Modigliani
Amedeo Modiglianis ‘Nu couché’ fetched $170.4 million in a Christies auction in New York in 2015.
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The Standard Bearer, Rembrandt
In 2021, the Netherlands government invested $198 million to acquire Rembrandts ‘The Standard Bearer.’
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Les Femmes d'Alger, Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picassos ‘Les Femmes dAlger’ entered the list with a Christies New York auction fetching an impressive $179.4 million.
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Portraits of Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit, Rembrandt
The Dutch government spent $180.6 million in 2021 to secure portraits by Rembrandt, immortalising Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit.
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Wasserschlangen II, Gustav Klimt
In 2021, ‘Wasserschlangen II’ by Gustav Klimt changed hands in a private sale for a staggering $183.3 million.
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Number 17A, Jackson Pollock
According to private sources reported by Bloomberg, billionaire Ken Griffin invested $200 million in 2015 for Jackson Pollocks iconic ‘Number 17A.’
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Nafea Faa Ipoipo?, Paul Gauguin
A Swiss private collector orchestrated a historic sale in 2015, parting ways with Paul Gauguins ‘Nafea Faa Ipoipo?’ for a staggering $300 million, finding a new home in Qatar.
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Interchange, Willem de Kooning
In 2015, billionaire Ken Griffins art collection expanded with the acquisition of Willem de Koonings ‘Interchange’ for an astounding $300 million.
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Salvator Mundi, Leonardo Da Vinci
The most expensive painting in history, was the sale of Leonardo Da Vincis ‘Salvator Mundi’ in 2017. Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev sold it for an astounding $450 million.
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