Are you into paintings? Which do you think are the most Expensive Paintings in the World?
Well, if you love art in general and are interested to know the Most Expensive Paintings on the Planet, then you are in the right place.
Today, we have come up with the 30 Most Expensive Paintings in the World.
Painting is an art full of creativity, a perfect blend of colors, and a phenomenal expression crafted with a brush.
People are ready to spend hundreds of millions of dollars and make them a part of their collection for captivating beauty, peculiar style, and creativity.
Quick Overview
| Name | Artist | Original Price |
| 30. Dora Maar au Chat | Pablo Picasso | $95.2 million |
| 29. Nurse | Roy Lichtenstein | $95.4 million |
| 28. Boy and Dog in a Johnnypump | Jean-Michel Basquiat | $100 million |
| 27. Garçon à la Pipe | Pablo Picasso | $104.2 million |
| 26. Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster) | Andy Warhol | $105.4 million |
| 25. Nude, Green Leaves, and Bust | Pablo Picasso | $106.5 million |
| 24. Untitled | Jean-Michel Basquiat | $110.5 million |
| 23. Meules | Claude Monet | $110.7 million |
| 22. Young Girl with a Flower Basket (Fillette à la corbeille fleurie) | Pablo Picasso | $115 million |
| 21. Reclining Nude With Blue Cushion | Amedeo Modigliani | $118 million |
| 20. The Scream | Edvard Munch | $119.9 million |
| 19. Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I | Gustav Klimt | $135 million |
| 18. Woman III | Willem de Kooning | $137.5 million |
| 17. No. 5, 1984 | Jackson Pollock | $140 million |
| 16. Twelve Landscape Screens | Qi Baishi | $140.8 million |
| 15. Three Studies of Lucian Freud | Francis Bacon | $142.4 million |
| 14. Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer II | Gustav Klimt | $150 million |
| 13. Le Rêve | Pablo Picasso | $155 million |
| 12. Nu couché (sur le côté gauche) | Amedeo Modigliani | $157.2 million |
| 11. Masterpiece | Roy Lichtenstein | $165 million |
| 10. Nu couché | Amedeo Modigliani | $170.4 million |
| 9. Les Femmes d’Alger | Pablo Picasso | $179.4 million |
| 8. Pendant Portraits of Marten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit | Rembrandt van Rijn | $180 million |
| 7. Wasserschlangen II | Gustav Klimt | $183.8 million |
| 6. No. 6 (Violet, Green, and Red) | Mark Rothko | $186 million |
| 5. Number 17A | Jackson Pollock | $200 million |
| 4. Nafea Faa Ipopio (When Will You Marry) | Paul Gauguin | $210 million |
| 3. The Card Players | Cezanne | $250 million |
| 2. Interchange | Willem de Kooning | $300 million |
| 1. Salvator Mundi | Leonardo da Vinci | $450.3 million |
Most Expensive Paintings in the World
This list is compiled from various sources, including Wikipedia and World Economic Forum.
30. Dora Maar au Chat by Pablo Picasso
Painted by Pablo Picasso in 1941, Dora Maar au Chat is on number 30 of our list of most expensive paintings.
The masterpiece is an oil on canvas painting measuring 50.5” by 37.5” of Picasso’s girlfriend Dora Maar.
Moreover, the painting is a manifestation of difficult times in France during the Second World War.
Furthermore, the Gidwitz family last sold this painting in 2006 to Boris Ivanishvili at $95.2 million, which is about $ 122.2 million when adjusted for inflation.
29. Nurse by Roy Lichtenstein
Auctioned at Christie’s, New York, this extraordinary painting by Roy was last sold in 2015 for $95.4 million, which is about $104.1 million when adjusted to the current price.
Pop artist Lichtenstein painted this 48 x 48 inches painting in 1964.
28. Boy and Dog in a Johnnypump by Jean-Michel Basquiat
This 1982 art of Jean- Michel Basquiat is his second most expensive painting. The painting consists of a skeletal black body and a dog in a warm color.
Similarly, the background color is interpreted to represent a “blazing hot summer landscape.”
Moreover, it was sold in 2020 by Peter Brant to Ken Griffin in a private sale. The painting is worth $101.2 million.
27. Garçon à la Pipe by Pablo Picasso
Picasso created the masterpiece in 1905 during his Rose Period.
Moreover, the painting is the portrayal of a Parisian boy holding a pipe in his left hand.
Similarly, there’s a garland of flowers on top of his head, and the background is decorated with floral arts.
Greentea Foundation sold it at an overwhelming price of $104.2 million in 2004, which amounts to $142.7 million in the present time.
26. Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster) by Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol executed the serigraph in 1963, and it remains to be the most expensive Serigraph by Warhol.
This masterpiece was last sold in 2013 at an astounding price of $105.4 million, which is about $117.1 when adjusted inflation.
25. Nude, Green Leaves and Bust by Pablo Picasso
Picasso’s Nude, Green Leaves, and Bust depict Marie Therese Walter in bright blue color background.
The painting also resembles his love for Marie. Similarly, it is packed with intense attachment as Marie continued her relationship with Picasso while having an affair.
Frances Lasker Brody estate sold this masterpiece in 2010 at $106.5 million originally, which when adjusted is $126.4.
24. Untitled by Jean-Michel Basquiat
Here comes the most expensive painting by Basquait, Untitled.
The Basquiat family sold this 1982 masterpiece for $4,000 to Annine Nosie Gallery in New York.
The painting portrays a colorful skull. In 2017 a Japanese Billionaire bought it for $110.5 million.
23. Meules by Claude Monet
On 23rd position of our list of most expensive paintings is Meules by Claude Monte.
This piece of art was created in the year 1890 and is a part of the Monet Series.
Meules represents the painting of a hill and stack of harvested Wheat. It was last sold in 2019 for $110.7 million.
22. Young Girl with a Flower Basket (Fillette à la corbeille fleurie) by Pablo Picasso
This masterpiece of Picasso depicts a Parisian girl standing naked with a flower basket in her hand. Created in 1905, this painting is from Picasso’s Rose Period.
It was sold for $115 million in 2018 to The Nahmad family by David and Peggy Rockefeller.
Interestingly, it is Picasso’s third highest-selling painting to date.
21. Reclining Nude With Blue Cushion by Amedeo Modigliani
Steven A. Cohen sold this work of Amedeo to Dmitry Rybolovlev at an astounding price of $118 million in a private sale.
Besides, this oil on canvas painting is one of the nudes painted by Amedo Modigliani between 1916 and 1919.
Moreover, in 2012 it was listed as the most expensive paintings, and its current value is $133 million.
20. The Scream by Edvard Munch
One of the most paradigmatic paintings of all time, The Scream, was created by Edvard Munch in 1895.
It was last sold in 2012 at $119.9 million, which is equivalent to $135.3 million as of now when adjusted inflation.
Furthermore, the agonized face in the painting symbolizes the anxiety and frustration of the human situation and horror.
Interestingly, Ghostface, a fictional character in the TV series Scream, is a face adapted from this painting.
19. Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I by Gustav Klimt
This legendary painting by Gustav Klimt was painted between 1903 and 1907. It is also known by the name of The Lady in Gold or The Woman in Gold for its vibrant use of Golden color.
Interestingly, Nazis stole the painting in 1941 and displayed it in Österreichische Galerie Belvedere.
Maria Altmann sold this painting for $135 million to Ronald Steven Lauder in 2006.
18. Woman III by Willem de Kooning
This abstract painting by Willem is one of six paintings done within the central theme of women. It was painted between 1951 and 1953.
It was last sold in a private sale for $137.5 million by David Geffen to Steven A. Cohen in 2006.
17. No. 5, 1984 by Jackson Pollock
Here’s the painting by the master of abstract painting Jackson Pollock.
This painting created on fireboard was sold for $140 million, making it one of the expensive paintings sold in 2006.
The phenomenal use of grey, brown, white and yellow colors makes it one of the most liked abstract paintings.
16. Twelve Landscape Screens by Qi Baishi
Twelve Landscape Screens is a series of landscape paintings on canvas created in 1925.
The painting was sold at Beijing Poly Auction for $140.8 million in 2017.
Also, this is the first painting by a Chinese artist sold at such a high price.
15. Three Studies of Lucian Freud by Francis Bacon
This 1969 on-oil-canvas by Irish-British painter Francis Bacon ranks 15 on our list of most expensive paintings.
It was last sold in 2013 for $142.4 million, which when adjusted inflation is somewhere around $158.2.
14. Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer II by Gustav Klimt
Did you know that Oprah Winfrey owned this painting at some point in her life?
The painting is a portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer, a close friend of Gustav, created in 1912. She is the only person Gustav has painted a portrait of twice.
Most importantly, the art was seized by the Nazis during the world war.
Moreover, it was last sold for $150 million in 2016. Its adjusted value at present is around $161.8
13. Le Rêve by Pablo Picasso
Painted in a distorted style, Le Rêve, is one of Picasso’s most expensive paintings.
This masterpiece, created in 1932, is a representation of Picasso’s mistress Marie Therese Walter.
Similarly, the painting became a part of Steven A. Cohen’s private collection from 2013 when he originally bought it for $155 million.
12. Nu couché (sur le côté gauche) by Amedeo Modigliani
This oil painting is undoubtedly one of the famous art by Amedo Modigliani. The painting depicts a nude woman tilting on white bedsheets and a deep green background.
The size of the painting is 84 by 146 centimeters (33 in × 57 in) and was created in 1917.
Similarly, at Sotheby’s, it took the highest bidding of $157.2 million. Its current worth is $162.
11. Masterpiece by Roy Lichtenstein
Roy’s Masterpiece is an influential painting in pop culture. Interestingly, it is the first pop art painting that was created in 1962.
This iconic painting is believed to have been inspired by comic book characters.
Besides, Steven A. Cohen is currently the owner of this painting. He paid a total of $165 million in a private sale in 2017.
10. Nu couché by Amedeo Modigliani
This 1917 oil on canvas painting by Italian artist Amedeo breaks the record of all other nude paintings created so far.
The painting depicts an unknown model lying on a crimson couch and a blue cushion with a perfectly crafted body.
Moreover, Liu Yiqian paid a total of $170.4 million when it was auctioned at Christie’s, New York, in 2015.
Additionally, the painting amounts to $186.1 million at present if we take inflation into account.
9. Les Femmes d’Alger by Pablo Picasso
Here we present you with Picasso’s most expensive painting, Les Femmes d’Alger, last sold for $179.4 million in 2015.
Also, it is the final painting in a series of 15, which is now a part of a private collection and was created in 1955.
8. Pendant Portraits of Marten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit by Rembrandt van Rijn
This piece of classic art was created in 1634!
Pendants Portraits of Marten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit is a painting that portrays a couple in a wedding dress.
In 2016 it was auctioned where Louvre and Rijksmuseum jointly purchased it for a staggering $180 million, which is $197, adjusting inflation.
7. Wasserschlangen II by Gustav Klimt
Also known as Water Serpent II, Wasserschalangen II is an oil on canvas painting created by Gustav Klimt in 1907.
The painting is especially famous for projecting sensuality and same-sex relationships.
Now, the painting is in a part of Dmitry Rybolovlev’s private collection.
Furthermore, Dmitry paid a whopping $183.8 million in 2013 for it.
6. No. 6 (Violet, Green, and Red) by Mark Rothko
You will surely make a face when you hear the price of this simple yet beautiful painting No. 6 or Violet, Green, and Red by Mark Rothko.
It was sold for $186 million in 2014 in a private sale.
Additionally, the peculiarity of painting lies in its uneven and hazy shades.
5. Number 17A by Jackson Pollock
This abstract painting by Jackson Pollock is one of the most expensive paintings globally, sold for a huge amount of $200 million in 2015.
Nonetheless, number 17A is the fifth most expensive paintings in the world.
Furthermore, it was featured in the August 1949 edition of Life which made Jackson Pollock a celebrity.
4. Nafea Faa Ipopio (When Will You Marry) by Paul Gauguin
This masterpiece was created by French impressionist painter Paul Gauguin in 1892. The oil painting art represents two Tahiti women.
Furthermore, this iconic painting was on exhibition till 2015 at The Beyeler Foundation.
Also, the painting was sold in 2014 for $210 million, which rates it as one of the most expensive paintings.
3. The Card Players by Cezanne
This iconic piece by Cezanne is a series of oil paintings and painted during Cezanne’s final period.
Moreover, each of the paintings differs in the number of players and settings.
This art by fresh post-impressionist was sold to the royal family of Qatar in 2011 for $250 million in a private sale.
If we adjust inflation, it values around $288 million.
2. Interchange by Willem de Kooning
Holding the second position on our list of most expensive paintings is Interchange by Willem de Kooning.
Besides, Interchange is also the most expensive painting from the abstract expressionist or Absurdist genre.
This masterpiece absolutely dominates the abstract painting world, and Kenneth C Griffin didn’t hesitate to spend a steep price of $300 million to buy it.
Likewise, he purchased the painting in a private sale in the year 2015.
1. Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci
On top of our list of most expensive paintings is Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci which was sold for a whopping $450.3 million.
Despite the conflicts involving its originality, this painting of the Italian High Renaissance period was last sold in 2017. In fact, the painting was lost, rediscovered, and restored.
Moreover, Salvator Mundi signifies the Savior of The World.
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