It is said that some art is “priceless”- but when it comes to selling works, some can garner an astounding amount at auctions. The following is a list of the most expensive paintings ever
sold in the world.
Leonardo Da Vinci by Salvator Mundi:
Leonardo da Vinci, which was painted in the 1500s, was often put
under the radar for its authenticity. The oil painting costing around $1500 was auctioned by Christie’s in November 2017 for $450.3
million.
The piece was bought by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia,
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, through his Minister of
Culture. The painting was also due to be displayed at the Louvre Abu Dhabi,
however, it was later cancelled.
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Interchange by Willem de Kooning:
It was painted by
Dutch American abstract painter, Willem de Kooning. ‘Interchange’ was one of
Willem’s first abstract landscape works.
It was sold to Kenneth Griffin, CEO of
hedge fund Citadel for $300 million in September 2015. The painting currently
is on loan at the Art Institute of Chicago.
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The Card Players by Paul Cezanne:
Paul Cezanne painted the Card Players, the canvas has been
the subject of several versions. It was also one of the most acclaimed. The
buyers of the piece were the Royal Family of Qatar in 2011 the painting was
sold for $ 250 million.
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Number 17A by Jackson Pollock:
Jackson Pollock is known as the Father of abstract
expressionism. His painting ‘Number 17a’ was bought as part of a deal with the
David Geffen Foundation during a private sale, who also bought ‘Interchange’.
The total deal cost him $500 million.
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‘NO 6 – Violet Green And Red’ by Mark Rothko:
Mark Rothko made this painting in 1951 and was purchased for
$ 186 million by Russian businessman Dmitry Rybolovlev in 2014. Rybolovlev later
reportedly fell into trouble in a string of international lawsuits due to
misrepresenting the works and subsequently overcharging them.
This painting
sold to Dmitry was originally bought for roughly half the price, with Bouvier
pocketing the difference.
