Salvator Mundi, Interchange, The Card Players: discover the most expensive paintings ever sold, what the Mona Lisa is worth and the record for a woman artist.
Artblr··4 min read·
In short
As of 2018, the most expensive painting ever sold is Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi, which went for about $450.3 million in November 2017. It is followed by Willem de Kooning's Interchange ($300 million, 2015) and Paul Cézanne's The Card Players ($250 million, 2011).
The world has always admired art, and humans have always produced art since the beginning of our history. Artworks have always been revered in our society, as they are a means of self-expression of the artist. Famous artists like Leonardo Da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, and Rembrandt have some of the most valued and expensive paintings in recorded history. Previously, the most expensive paintings were usually the older ones done by the Old Masters, way before the nineteenth century. But Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers", painted in 1888 and sold in 1987, was the first modern painting to hold the record of most expensive painting.
List of the 10 most expensive paintings (as of 2018)
1. The "Salvator Mundi" by Leonardo da Vinci ($450 300 000)
Most Expensive Paintings Ever Sold: The Top 10 | Artblr
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This was recorded to be The "Salvator Mundi" by Leonardo da Vinci which went for about four hundred and fifty million dollars ($450.30m) in November 2017, even though some art experts doubt the authenticity. The painting depicts Christ with two fingers of his right hand raised in benediction and a crystal orb in his left hand. The "Salvator Mundi" (which means Saviour of the World) is said to have been painted around 1500. Its buyer is reported to be Saudi; the painting was announced for display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi but has not been shown publicly since the sale. As of 2018, it is also the most expensive painting ever sold at auction.
2. "Interchange" by Willem De Kooning ($300 000 000)
Interchange
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What is the second most expensive artwork sold in recent times? The "Interchange" by Willem De Kooning was sold at three hundred million dollars ($300m, which was the highest price ever for a painting and wasn't surpassed until November 2017) in September 2015 at a private sale. It was bought by Kenneth C Griffin from the David Geffen Foundation. The painting was made in the year 1955, and it was one of the artist's first abstract landscape paintings. As of 2018, it was on loan from its owner to the Art Institute of Chicago. Compared to other expensive paintings in the world, it is very recent.
3. The "Card Players" by Paul Cézanne ($250 000 000)
Card players
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Which other artwork is on the list of the Most Expensive Paintings of the World? Another very famous expensive painting is "The Card Players" by Paul Cézanne. It was made between the years 1892-1893. It was sold in April 2011 to the State of Qatar by George Embiricos at a private sale. It is in fact, a series of paintings and there are five paintings in the entire series. The most famous painting of the series depicts two men in hats and suits, seated at a table engaging in what seems to be the card game of the century. It was sold for two hundred and fifty million dollars ($250m). In the other paintings in the series, there were more than two men playing cards. In one of them, the men were smoking from their pipes. That painting is sometimes referred to as "The Smokers". In another, some men played while one smoked a pipe, probably waiting for his turn at the card table.
4. When Will You Marry? by Paul Gauguin ($210 000 000)
When will you marry
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5. Number 17A by Jackson Pollock ($200 000 000)
Number 17A Jackson Pollock
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6. No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red) by Mark Rothko ($186 000 000)
No. 6 Violet, Green and Red by Mark Rothko
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7. Wasserschlangen II by Gustav Klimt ($183 800 000)
Wasserschlangen II by Gustav Klimt
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8. Pendant portraits of Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit by Rembrandt ($180 000 000)
Pendant portraits of Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit
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9. Les Femmes d'Alger (Version O) by Pablo Picasso ($179 400 000)
Les Femmes d'Alger
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10. Nu Couché by Amedeo Modigliani ($170 400 000)
Nu Couché by Amedeo Modigliani
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What is the "Mona Lisa" worth?
Mona Lisa
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This is a frequently asked question in the world of art. The "Mona Lisa" was worth about eight hundred million dollars ($800m) in 2017. It is arguably the most famous and expensive painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. It was created between the years 1503-1506. There are arguments that the painting might have continued till 1517. The home of the painting is The Louvre in Paris since the year 1797, also called Musée du Louvre. It has been stolen once in the 21st of August, 1911 by famous Italian thief, Vincenzo Peruggia. The "Mona Lisa" has never been sold to this day and is often described as the most valuable painting in the world. There has always been a lot of controversy surrounding The Mona Lisa. It is thought to be a portrait of Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Francesco del Giocondo. Others believe it is a painting of Leonardo himself, depicted as feminine. The painting is the most parodied work of art in the world.
The 1932 painting by Georgia O'Keeffe named "Jimson Weed"
Which is the most expensive artwork ever made by a woman? As of 2018, it was the 1932 painting by Georgia O'Keeffe named "Jimson Weed" and also called "White Flower No. 1" was bought on the 20th of November 2014 by the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. It was bought at the price of forty-four million dollars ($44.4m). As of 2016, it was valued at over forty-five million dollars ($45.5m). It was exhibited at the museum in Arkansas the following spring. O'Keeffe had more abstract works and developed a style that veered away from realism in 1912.
Artwork has continued to develop and change in style over the years. People will continually appreciate art, especially aesthetically pleasing art. Mysterious art like the "Mona Lisa" will always be revered and copied. There is beauty and art all around. It might not cost a million dollars, and one might just need to look a little closer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most expensive painting ever sold?
As of 2018, Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi, sold for about $450.3 million in November 2017. It is also the most expensive painting ever sold at auction, although some experts doubt its authenticity.
What is the second most expensive painting in the world?
As of 2018, Willem de Kooning's Interchange (1955), sold for $300 million in September 2015 to Kenneth C. Griffin in a private sale. It held the record for the most expensive painting until November 2017.
How much is the Mona Lisa worth?
The Mona Lisa was worth about $800 million in 2017. It has never been sold and has been held at the Louvre in Paris since 1797.
What is the most expensive artwork by a woman?
As of 2018, Jimson Weed (White Flower No. 1), painted in 1932 by Georgia O'Keeffe, bought for $44.4 million on November 20, 2014, by the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
Which painters are in the top 10 most expensive paintings (as of 2018)?
Leonardo da Vinci, Willem de Kooning, Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Gustav Klimt, Rembrandt, Pablo Picasso and Amedeo Modigliani.
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