These are the five most expensive paintings in the world

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Works of art have established themselves as attractive investments. Their appeal lies in the successful fusion of material value and the ability to convey prestige. The paintings listed in the following top 5 impressively embody both aspects. Each of the works of art listed not only achieved a remarkably high sales price, but also exudes the prestige factor that characterizes the art market.

The works of art listed, according to the information provided by Kunstloft, are exclusively paintings. Prints, drawings, photographs and other art forms were not included. The purchase prices were determined through auctions and confirmed by the respective auction houses. Paintings that changed hands through “private sales,” art fairs, or other circumstances were not considered.

1st place: “Salvator Mundi” by Leonardo da Vinci

The artwork “Salvator Mundi” was created around 1500 by Leonardo da Vinci and depicts Jesus Christ, referred to as the “Savior of the World”. In his left hand he holds a glass ball meant to represent the world, while his right hand is raised in a gesture of blessing. It is an oil painting on walnut wood measuring 45.4 cm x 65.6 cm.

The painting was believed to be the work of a student of Leonardo da Vinci in the 18th century and was then lost. It was only rediscovered in 2005 and after extensive cleaning and restoration it was attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. It was exhibited at the National Gallery in London in 2011 and was auctioned at Christie’s in 2017 for a record $450.3 million. The buyer was Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia.

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2nd place: “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn” by Andy Warhol

The artwork “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn” is part of the Pop Art movement and was created by the famous artist Andy Warhol. The depiction of Marilyn Monroe, one of the most famous icons of the 20th century, falls into Warhol’s artistic phase of the 1960s, in which he dealt heavily with celebrities and media culture.

The title “Shot” refers to an event in 1968 when Warhol was almost shot by the radical feminist Valerie Solanas. This incident shaped Warhol’s later work and contributed to his view of life, death and celebrity.

On May 9, 2022, “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn” was sold for $195 million at Christie’s auction house in New York. The buyer was Larry Gagosian, one of today’s most influential art brokers.

3rd place: “Les femmes d’Alger (Version O)” by Picasso

“Les femmes d’Alger (Version O)” is part of a series of 15 paintings created by Pablo Picasso in 1955. Inspired by Eugène Delacroix’s “The Women of Algiers in their Apartment” and Henri Matisse’s colorful depictions of women, Picasso reinterprets these motifs with his cubist aesthetic.

The painting is known for its geometric shapes and vibrant colors that restructure the space and the figures. It reflects Picasso’s artistic engagement with both the past and the present of his time.

In 2015, “Les femmes d’Alger (Version O)” sold at Christie’s for $179.4 million to an anonymous bidder, underscoring the continued importance and value of Picasso’s work in the global art world.

4th place: “Nu couché” by Amadeo Modigliani

“Nu couché” or “Red Nude Painting” is a well-known work by the Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani from 1917. It depicts a reclining nude woman and is characteristic of Modigliani’s style, characterized by stylized human forms.

This painting is one of Modigliani’s most reproduced and exhibited works, underscoring his enduring importance and popularity.

At the end of 2015, it was purchased by Chinese businessman Liu Yiqian for US$170.4 million, increasing the appreciation of Modigliani’s art internationally Art market highlights.

5th place: “Nu couché (sur le côté gauche)” by Amadeo Modigliani

“Nu couché (sur le côté gauche)” is another well-known nude painting by the Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, created in 1917. In this painting, Modigliani implements his signature depiction of the human form, depicting a reclining nude woman viewed from the left side.

In 2018, the painting was sold at Sotheby’s auction house in New York for $157 million, underscoring the high value of Modigliani’s art on the international market.

The painting was previously featured in an exhibition at Tate Modern in 2017/2018, further demonstrating its importance in Modigliani’s oeuvre and his reputation in the art world.

D. Maier / editorial team finanzen.net



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