Art has the unique ability to evoke emotions, convey tales, and reflect our culture’s history. Many artworks have sold for amazing prices at auctions over the years, demonstrating their tremendous worth and significance.
Here are the most expensive artworks ever sold, along with the fascinating stories that inspired them and the great brains who made them.
1. Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci – $450.3 Million
Salvator Mundi, the world’s most famous painting, is credited to the renowned Leonardo da Vinci. This artwork, created circa 1500, represents Jesus Christ clutching a crystal orb, representing his function as the “Savior of the World.” On November 15, 2017, it broke records by selling for an incredible $450.3 million at a Christie’s auction in New York.
Salvator Mundi’s journey is as spectacular as its price tag. Robert Simon and Alex Parish, art dealers, discovered the artwork at a New Orleans auction in 2005, unaware of its potential connection to da Vinci.
When they bought it, the artwork was in bad condition, severely overpainted, and ravaged by woodworms. They engaged the services of art restorer Dianne Modestini, who meticulously cleaned and repaired it. As the repair progressed, they were increasingly certain that it was a lost work by Leonardo.
The painting received even more notice when it was featured in a 2011 exhibition at London’s National Gallery. However, its legitimacy is still hotly debated, making Salvator Mundi one of the century’s most contentious pieces of art.
2. Interchange by Willem de Kooning – $300 Million
Next on our list is Interchange, a stunning abstract expressionist piece created by Dutch-American artist Willem de Kooning in 1955. Originally sold for $4,000, this masterpiece was purchased by hedge fund billionaire Kenneth C. Griffin in 2015 for a whopping $300 million, making it the most expensive painting at the time.
Interchange showcases de Kooning’s bold brushwork and brilliant colors, capturing the essence of midcentury art. It was once displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago but has since been transferred to private ownership. This painting is now the second most expensive artwork ever sold, after only Salvator Mundi.
3. The Card Players by Paul Cézanne – $250-300 Million
Paul Cézanne, a French Post-Impressionist artist, created the Card Players series of paintings in the early 1890s. The series includes five variations, each with a different size and number of participants shown.
In 2011, the Royal Family of Qatar purchased one of these versions for $250 million, equivalent to $338.6 million today. This set a new record for the highest price paid for a painting at the time.
Cézanne’s work is known for its unique approach to form and color, which contributed significantly to contemporary art. His ability to capture the spirit of ordinary life, such as a simple game of cards, lends relatability to these masterpieces, which contributes to their tremendous worth.
4. Nafea Faa Ipoipo (When Will You Marry?) by Paul Gauguin – $210 Million
Nafea Faa Ipoipo, or When Will You Marry?, an oil painting by French artist Paul Gauguin, was created in 1892. This vivid artwork was on display at the Kunstmuseum in Basel, Switzerland, for nearly five decades before it was auctioned in February 2015.
Rudolf Staechelin’s family sold it privately to Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani for around $210 million (£155 million).
Gauguin’s art frequently explored themes of Polynesian life and culture, employing vivid colors and expressive forms. The sale of this picture illustrates not only its artistic significance, but also Gauguin’s long-lasting influence on the art world.
5. Number 17A by Jackson Pollock – $200 Million
Number 17A, a classic abstract expressionist artwork created by American artist Jackson Pollock in 1948, completes our list. Pollock, famous for his innovative drip painting method, splashed paint onto a flat surface, resulting in a captivating web of colors and patterns.
Number 17A was purchased from David Geffen for $200 million by hedge fund manager Kenneth C. Griffin in September 2015, marking a notable foray into the realm of high-value art. Pollock’s work became well-known after it was featured in the August 1949 issue of Life magazine, cementing his reputation as a prominent figure in modern art.