Art is an expansive world. Ranging from impressionism to abstraction, there is a range of styles and artists who demand high prices for their works.
1. Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci – $870 Million
Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, depicting an enigmatic woman with her mysterious smile, remains the world’s most expensive painting and most beloved masterpiece of Western art. Since its inception it has stood as an emblem for beauty, power and mystery that remains an invaluable work of Western art history.
2. Interchange by Willem De Kooning – $300 Million
This painting by de Kooning exemplifies his abstract expressionist style with its vigorous composition of slashing brush strokes created in 1955 – it remains one of his most beloved works to this day! It depicts what appears to be a figure holding paintbrushes and palettes against an ever-evolving background of swirling and moving colors.
3. Salvator Mundi by Leonardo Da Vinci – $450 Million
Salvator Mundi, Leonardo da Vinci’s most expensive painting ever sold at auction is an iconic masterpiece depicting Jesus Christ that stands the test of time and remains relevant today. It has had an interesting journey over its 365 year existence that includes being mistaken as a copy, extensive restoration efforts and controversy regarding its authenticity.
4. Nafea Faa Ipoipo by Paul Gauguin – $300 Million
Paul Gauguin‘s Nafea Faa Ipoipo by 1892 stands as another masterpiece on the list of Most Expensive Art. Translating to “When Will You Marry?,” this painting showcases Gauguin’s fascination with Tahitian culture, exoticism, and his idea of an unspoiled paradise; while also including elements of primitive art such as flattering forms, vibrant colors, and distorted perspectives; precursors to Fauvism and Expressionism later on.
5. Number 17 A by Jackson Pollock – $200 Million
Jackson Pollock‘s masterpiece 17 A is one of his best known masterpieces and continues to dazzle art enthusiasts worldwide. It made history after it was sold for an astounding $200 million by hedge fund manager Kenneth C. Griffin in 2015. Number 17 A features his signature drip technique and features vivid hues woven onto fiberboard canvas; also, this painting marked an important turning point for Pollock’s career as it earned him four pages in Life magazine with its debut publication date being August 1949.
Resources
- https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/most-expensive-paintings-in-the-world-1696400725-1
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_expensive_paintings
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mona_Lisa
