What are Top Most Valuable Paintings?
The world of art is vast and diverse, and it is a testament to the incredible and imaginative minds of artists that show us beautiful works of art throughout the centuries and around the world. Paintings, in particular, have become a very valuable commodity in the art market and have been sold for outrageous sums of money. Many of these prized works of art are exceptionally well-known and respected pieces of artwork, as they continue to awe and inspire countless generations.
So, what are the most valuable paintings in the world?
This article will take a closer look at some of the most expensive and celebrated works of art ever created, exploring their curiosities, the artists behind the works, and their incredible valuations.
The 10 Most Valuable Paintings in the World
Here are the 10 most valuable paintings in the world, ordered from the tenth most expensive to the most expensive.
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Portrait of Adele Rayer by Vincent van Gogh – $67 Million: This painting showcases a portrait of Adele Rayer, a seven year-old girl from Paris, France. The work was completed by renowned artist Vincent van Gogh in 1888. The painting was bought for an incredible $67 million by an unknown collector in 1989 and continues to be one of van Gogh’s most celebrated works of art.
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Pendant Portraits of Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit by Rembrandt -$180 Million: These two portraiture works were created by the famed Dutch master Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. Completed in 1634, the works each portray Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit, a rapturous newlywed couple. In 2016, the paintings were split in half between the Louvre in Paris and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The paintings each sold for an outstanding $180 million apiece.
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Nu Couche (Reclining Nude) by Amedeo Modigliani – $170 Million: This painting was completed by the Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani in 1917. This painting was a part of the renowned Paul Rosenberg Collection, a private collection of artwork collected by renowned art dealer Paul Rosenberg. This painting was acquired for an outstanding $170 million in 2018 by Chinese billionaire investor Liu Yiqian.
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No. 6 (Violet, Green, and Red) by Mark Rothko – $186 Million: This painting was created by renown American abstract painter Mark Rothko in 1951. This painting, along with many others by Rothko, were part of a series of works titled, “The Color Field Paintings.” This painting was acquired by the hedge fund manager and art collector, Kenneth C. Griffin. It was bought for a remarkable $186 million in 2014 at Christie’s in London.
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Les Femmes d’Alger (Version O) by Pablo Picasso – $179 Million: This painting was created by the Spanish master, Pablo Picasso, in 1955. This painting is considered to be the last “great” cubist painting by the master and was acquired by the billionaire collector, Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani. The painting was purchased for an incredible $179 million in 2015.
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Portrait of Dr. Gachet by Vincent van Gogh – $180 Million: Often said to be the most expensive work of art ever sold, this painting was created by Vincent van Gogh who, as is so often the case with the artist, completed the painting in the last year of his life. This painting was purchased by the Japanese business tycoon, Ryoei Saito, for an incredible $180 million in 1990.
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Number 17A by Jackson Pollock – $200 Million: This painting was created by the legendary American painter and action painter, Jackson Pollock. This abstract expressionist painting was purchased in 2015 by the American insurance mogul and billionaire, Kenneth C. Griffin. The price? A remarkable $200 million.
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The Card Players by Paul Cézanne – $274 Million: This painting is one of a series of five paintings that were created by the iconic French Post-Impressionist painter, Paul Cézanne, between the early 1890s and late 1900s. This particular painting was bought by the royal family of Qatar in 2011. A price tag of an impressive $274 million accompanied this acquisition.
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Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci – $450 Million: This painting depicts a seemingly solemn Jesus with his right hand raised and his left hand holding a crystal orb. This painting was discovered in Louisiana by art experts in 2007 and restored. It was sold in 2017 for an astounding $450 million, making it the most expensive work of art ever sold at that time.
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Interchange by Willem de Kooning – $500 Million: This painting showcases the abstract expressionist style of Dutch-born American painter Willem de Kooning. Interchange was painted in 1955 and is considered to be one of de Kooning’s greatest works of art. It was picked up by the art collector Kenneth C. Griffin in 2015 at the remarkable price of $500 million.
The artists behind these priceless paintings created works of art that not only entertain us, but also inspire many people throughout the generations. Paintings such as the those mentioned in this article, have gone on to become some the most expensive and highly sought-after works in recent memory.
The world of fine art is a remarkable and fascinating one, and these pieces of remarkable art stand out among the rest, having been sold for tremendous prices in the art market. We hope this article has helped that you gain more understanding about some of the most valuable and famous paintings in the world.
