Valuing a masterpiece becomes an intricate dance, subject to the capricious tides of market trends. However, within the ever-fluctuating world of the art trade, a select group of creators can boast works so highly prized that their value remains steadfast, within the reach of only a lucky few. These are priceless treasures that defy ordinary acquisition.
In the realm of extremely rare and sublime artifacts, a handful rise to the zenith of the art domain, commanding figures that soar into the hundreds of millions of dollars. Here we uncover select masterpieces that have recently passed the auction blocks or received appraisals that stand as monumental milestones in the annals of art history.
The most expensive painting in the world is Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
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List of the 7 most expensive paintings in the world in 2023
The most famous paintings, especially those from the period before 1803, whose domain of preservation are mainly the hallowed halls of the museum, attracting visitors from all over the world. Rarely traded or sold, these genuine gems stand as examples of artistic excellence, and their value goes beyond mere valuation. Here is the list:
1. Mona Lisa – 970 million dollars2. Salvator Mundi – $450.3 million3. Exchange – 300 million dollars4. Kartashi – 250 million dollars5. Nafea Faa Ipoipo – 210 million dollars6. Number 17A – $200 million7. Wasserschlangen II – $183.8 million
This list is ordered by inflation-adjusted CPI values, bolded in millions of US dollars as of 2022. In cases where currency conversion was required, the prevailing exchange rates at the time these masterpieces were transacted were reasonably employed. These hallowed canvases, beyond mere monetary value, represent the pinnacle of human creativity, enriching the cultural fabric of our global society.
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The most expensive paintings in the world
1. Mona Lisa
Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
Value: $970 million
Owner: Louvre in Paris
The Mona Lisa, the magnum opus created by the genius of Leonardo da Vinci, ranks first as the most expensive painting in the world, boasting an incredible estimate of $970 million. Housed in a safe place within the halls of the famous Louvre Museum in Paris since 1804, this masterpiece stands as an irreplaceable symbol of French heritage, protected by law from the hands of would-be buyers. Measuring its exact value remains an enigma, with a 1962 insurance estimate of $100 million, adjusted for inflation, moving into today’s nearly $1 billion range.
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2. Salvator Mundi
Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
Value: $450.3 million
Owner: Badr bin Abdullah Al Saud
In stark contrast, Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi went on an incredible odyssey, disappearing from view for two centuries before re-emerging in 2005, damaged and in dire need of restoration. Discovered at an obscure New Orleans art auction for just $1,175, its subsequent transformation into a masterpiece was orchestrated by the skilled hands of renowned restorer Dianne Modestini. The art’s triumphant return culminated in a landmark sale at Christie’s New York in 2017, fetching a staggering $450.3 million. Despite its global acclaim, this masterpiece remains under wraps, and its eventual unveiling at the Louvre Abu Dhabi has been hotly anticipated.
3. Exchange
Artist: Willem de Kooning
Value: $300 million
Owner: Kenneth C. Griffin
Unexpectedly, the third most valuable painting in the world comes from the field of abstract expressionism, thanks to Willem de Kooning of New York. Interchange, a testament to de Kooning’s mature, expressionist style, achieved an unparalleled feat in September 2015. David Geffen’s private transaction to Kenneth C. Griffin, CEO of hedge fund Citadel, saw the masterpiece change hands for a staggering $300 million. Currently on display at the Art Institute of Chicago, it continues to captivate art lovers, offering a rare glimpse into de Kooning’s transcendent talent.
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4. Card players
Artist: Paul Cézanne
Value: $250 million
Owner: State of Qatar
Paul Cézanne, known as the ‘father of modern art’, is in the midst of a sure firestorm of high-priced auctions. Cards, one of his seminal works, was purchased in 2011 by the Qatari royal family in a landmark acquisition of $250 million. With four different versions of this masterpiece, three now grace the hallowed halls of major public museum collections, ensuring Cézanne’s legacy as an enduring force in the art world.
5. Nafea Faa Ipoipo
Artist: Paul Gauguin
Value: $210 million
Owner: State of Qatar
Paul Gauguin’s Nafea Faa Ipoipo? (When Will You Marry?) emerged as a Post-Impressionist gem in 1892. After a decade on loan to the Kunstmuseum in Basel, Switzerland, it found a new home in February 2015, being purchased by Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani for nearly $210 million . This monumental transaction is one of the most significant in the world of art, and the painting graced the Beyeler Foundation until June 2015.
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6. Number 17A
Artist: Jackson Pollock
Value: $200 million
Owner: Kenneth C. Griffin
Jackson Pollock’s masterpiece of abstract expressionism, Number 17A, entered the record books in September 2015, fetching a record $200 million from the hands of hedge fund manager Kenneth C. Griffin. On loan to the Art Institute of Chicago, it mesmerizes art lovers with its explosive creativity, securing a prominent position as the sixth most expensive painting in history.
7. Wasserschlangen II
Artist: Gustav Klimt
Value: $183.8 million (last known)
Owner: Yves Bouvier (last known)
Gustav Klimt’s Wasserschlangen II, the embodiment of sensuality and same-sex relationships, witnessed a turbulent journey through history. Stolen by the Nazis during World War II, it resurfaced in 2013, marking the center of a scandalous controversy.
Sold to Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev for $183.8 million by Yves Bouvier, its previous owner, the painting became entangled in a web of fraud, sparking a legal battle that continued into 2019. As a testament to art’s enduring appeal, Wasserschlangen II remains a masterpiece , its worth expanding beyond mere monetary valuation.
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Source: newstars.edu.vn