The most expensive paintings in the world
The list of the most expensive paintings in the world does not include many of the most famous paintings, as they belong to public museums and cannot be sold. If any of them would be put up for auction, of course, it would exceed any price of the below mentioned sold paintings. These world masterpieces are priceless. So the list of the most expensive paintings includes only paintings which are held in private collections and which were put up for sale at auctions in the XX-XXI centuries.
The most expensive artists, whose works are considered the most expensive paintings in the world, are Picasso and Van Gogh. And this is to be expected, since these artists are internationally recognized well-known artists. However, there are some other paintings that are on the list of the most expensive paintings in the world. And these paintings can be very surprising.
For example, in February 2012 the National Museum bought a painting by Paul Cezanne from the series ‘The Card Players’ for $ 250 million from a private collector. This was the most expensive painting ever sold.The painting shows men sitting at a table and playing cards. Most likely, they are simple farmers or peasants. Their poses and attire are carefully painted, and they fit perfectly into the surroundings.
Paul Cezanne, ‘The Card Players’
A picture of the famous American abstract artist Jackson Pollock ‘Number 5’ was sold for 140 mln. $. This news caused a sensation.Jackson Pollock became famous as the inventor of ‘action painting’: he poured and drizzled paint on canvas, considering the spontaneous creative process more important than the result. ‘Number 5’ is just an example of such non-objective painting. It is a classic example of this method.The canvas is evenly covered with brown and yellow droplets where everyone can see what they want.
Jackson Pollock ‘Number 5’
Woman III, a painting by the abstractionist Willem de Kooning, is made in semi-realistic style and dedicated to women. However, the woman looks a bit different than in other Kooning’s paintings. At first glance, she seems ugly and unfeminine, but after casting a better look, we can see that this girl is cheerful, good-natured, and her wide-open eyes speak of her naivety. It looks like she’s still quite young. Her hands carefully grasp the edge of the transparent dress, she’s going to make a curtsey. This painting was sold at a fabulously high price of 137, $ 5 million. It is believed that the answer to this success should be sought after in the paintings of the great master Leonardo.
Woman III by Willem de Kooning
Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I was sold at auction for $ 135 million. This picture is also known as the ‘Golden Adele’ or ‘Austrian Mona Lisa.’ The painting was painted by the founder of the Austrian Art Nouveau Gustav Klimt. This picture is one of his best known works. It is painted in conjunction of oil painting with the relief painting technique and gilding. The painting shows only realistic images of face and hands of the heroine, all the rest is abstract pattern of the apparel and background, which likens it to the mosaic.
Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I by Gustav Klimt
Most often, it turns out that when an artist paints his picture, he does not expect that one day they will be worth a fabulous price, or will become so well-known and valued. The artist simply works, inspired by something, and expresses his inner world. When we draw, we also express our inner world, and do not think about whether there is a future for our creations.
