Painting is one of the oldest forms of art. With the help of a variety of palettes, brushes, spatulas, a person can express his inner world, portray his own vision of things. However, only great masters went down in history. Each of them was a genius. Each such picture was brilliant. And it remains so. Today, the works of the greatest artists are inserted at auctions and, moving from owner to owner, set new records for their value. We offer you 10 of the most expensive paintings in the world, sold in history.
10. Willem de Kooning “Woman III”, 1953
Sold for $ 137.77 million.
This valuable painting is an abstract expressionist image of a woman. It is made using the graffiti technique: wide strokes in combination with brush strokes on the canvas. In general, the picture evokes mixed emotions - its originality borders on insanity. Many psychologists argue that such a manner of writing speaks of a conflicting and painful attitude to women by its author. 137.7 million dl. amounted to the value of "Women" in private bidding.
9. Jackson Pollock "Number 5", 1948
She went under the hammer for $ 140 million.
“Number 5” is unique in its drip technique, which is also called “Painting of Action”. The specificity of this technique is that paints are applied by randomly spraying layer by layer. At first glance, the picture resembles a nest woven from yellow, brown and various shades of gray branches. Its cost is 140 million dollars.
8. Amedeo Modigliani “Reclining Nude”, 1917-1918
It was sold for $ 170.4 million.
The image of a naked woman on a crimson couch caused a storm of emotions and indignation among the public, which is why immediately after it was exhibited in the gallery, the police were forced to remove it. Art historians believe that Modigliani converted the sexuality of women to religion long before Picasso and Matisse. “Reclining Nude” was sold at auction for 170.4 million dlr.
7. Pablo Picasso "Algerian Women (version O)", 1955
Purchased at the price of $ 179,365,000.
The name of the picture speaks for itself: the work was dedicated to the situation of women in Algeria. Picasso was inspired by the works of the great Spanish artist Delacroix. The canvas is unique in that it combines several artistic styles at once: postmodern, kitsch and classic. This feature makes the work of Picasso very desirable for private ownership. The sale price is $ 179.365 million.
6. Rembrandt van Rijn "Portraits of Martin Solmans and Opien Koppit", 1634
$ 180 million - the cost of this painting.
The paintings were painted by Rembrandt on the occasion of the wedding of Martin Solmans and Opien Koppit. Until now, portraits of the newlyweds hang side by side at various exhibitions in the museums of Amsterdam and Paris. It is worth noting that the images are qualitatively different from previous works of the artist in size and in the fact that people are depicted on them in full growth. 180 million dollars amounted to the sale price of this expensive work.
5. Mark Rothko "No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red)", 1951
The latest bid is $ 186,000,000.
"Violet, green and red" is a vivid representative of abstract expressionism. Rothko's style, which, incidentally, was of Russian origin, is characterized by the absence of specific images and the use of horizontal stripes of various colors. Basically, the artist uses dark shades as a symbol of depression, which many artists of the post-war period were exposed to. In 2014, a Russian businessman bought it for an incredibly huge amount - 186 million.
4. Jackson Pollock "Number 17A", 1948
Has risen in price to $ 200 million.
Since 2015, the ratings of the most expensive paintings in the world have replenished with another work of Jackson Pollock - “Number 17A”. The "seventeenth issue", like the "fifth", can be traced all the same characteristic features: bright chaotic splashes on the canvas. 200 million dollars is the price of the painting, taking into account inflation.
3. Paul Cezanne, “Players in the Cards," 1895
Purchased at the price of $ 259 million.
The painting "Card Players" reminds us of those classic images that are constantly found in art history textbooks, luxury magazines, gift photo albums and candy boxes. An interesting fact: “card players” are a gardener and an employee of the Cezanne family estate. The picture was bought by the royal family from Qatar for $ 259 million.
2. Paul Gauguin "When will you marry?", 1892
Sold for $ 300 million at private auction.
An expensive work of art, “When will you marry?” Is the pearl of postmodernism. It depicts two Tahitian girls in traditional dresses. Tahiti is the place where Paul Gauguin found his spiritual refuge. It was there that he revealed his potential as a great artist. At first, not everyone appreciated Gauguin's talent, but after many years his paintings became very popular all over the world. The painting was sold for 300 million at a private auction.
1. 1955
The most expensive painting in the world is $ 500,000,000.
Another example of abstract expressionism: “Exchange” is a depiction of the ugly face of the modern world, a face distorted by the horrors of World War II. The painting was sold as a result of the largest transaction for 500 million US dollars.
Many say that real art is priceless. It really is. But modern society is a society of consumers obsessed with deals and sales. In our world, even priceless things will be priced.
