Elena Rossi
The art world is a fascinating and lucrative one, with some paintings fetching prices in the hundreds of millions. The most expensive painting in the world is widely considered to be the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, valued at a staggering $970 million. Other paintings that have fetched high prices include Paul Gauguin's Nafea Faa Ipoipo? (When Will You Marry?), which sold for $210 million, and Interchange by Willem de Kooning, which sold for $300 million. The market for expensive art has expanded, with more art collectors than ever before, and auction houses like Christie's and Sotheby's facilitating sales of these incredible works.
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What You'll Learn
- The most expensive painting in the world is the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, valued at $970 million
- Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci sold for $450 million in 2017
- Interchange by Willem de Kooning sold for $300 million in 2015
- Nafea Faa Ipoipo (When Will You Marry) by Paul Gauguin sold for $210 million
- Number 17A by Jackson Pollock sold for $200 million in 2015
The most expensive painting in the world is the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, valued at $970 million
The most expensive painting in the world is not, in fact, the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. While the Mona Lisa is a priceless masterpiece, it has been valued at $970 million and is protected as public property by the 'French Heritage Law', meaning it cannot be bought or sold. The painting has been housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris since 1804 and is considered an irreplaceable symbol of French history.
The crown for the most expensive painting ever sold goes to Salvator Mundi, also by Leonardo da Vinci. This painting, which depicts Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the World, was sold at a Christie's auction in 2017 for a staggering $450 million. Taking inflation into account, the current value of this painting would be roughly $507 million. The sale of this masterpiece introduced a new era in top art sales, with the buyer acting on behalf of a Saudi Arabian prince.
Other notable mentions include Interchange by Willem de Kooning, which was bought by David Geffen for $300 million in 2015 and later resold for $350.4 million. This seminal work marks de Kooning's transition from painting women to urban landscapes and is one of five oil paintings of the same name. Another one of the most expensive paintings in the world is Nafea Faa Ipoipo? (When Will You Marry?) by Paul Gauguin, which was sold for $210 million in 2015. The painting was one of Gauguin's first after his trip to Tahiti in 1891 and has consistently made the list of the most expensive paintings worldwide.
While the above paintings have been sold for record-breaking prices, the value of artistic expression and the wealth of collectors cannot be understated. The art world has witnessed staggering sales, with collectors investing in unexpected works that resonate with their personal tastes and evoke a sense of wonder.
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Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci sold for $450 million in 2017
Salvator Mundi, a painting attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, sold for a record-breaking $450 million at Christie's in New York on November 15, 2017. The painting depicts Jesus Christ in Renaissance attire, making a gesture of blessing with his right hand while holding a crystal orb in his left, representing his role as Salvator Mundi, or Saviour of the World.
The auction for the painting lasted 18 minutes and ended with a winning bid of $400 million, a significant increase of $30 million over the previous bid. With additional fees, the final price reached $450.3 million, more than four times the initial estimate of $100 million. The sale set a new record for the highest price paid for a painting at a public auction, surpassing the previous record of $200 million.
The Salvator Mundi's journey to this auction was quite intriguing. The painting was initially purchased by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev through his art adviser Yves Bouvier in 2013 for $127.5 million. However, Rybolovlev later discovered that he had significantly overpaid, prompting him to sue Bouvier for substantial losses. The painting then became part of a promotional tour organized by Christie's, which included stops in Hong Kong, London, and San Francisco before the auction in New York.
The attribution of the painting to Leonardo da Vinci has been a subject of debate. While some experts, including Nicholas Penny, director of the National Gallery, believe it to be an autograph work by Leonardo, others suggest that his workshop or assistants may have been involved. The painting underwent meticulous restoration by conservator Dianne Modestini, and during this process, both Modestini and the purchasers became convinced of its attribution to Leonardo. The restoration revealed unique characteristics, such as the use of sfumato, the reflection in the orb, the styling of the drapery, and the rendering of Christ's curly hair, which were consistent with Leonardo's techniques.
Despite the controversy surrounding its attribution and extensive restoration, the Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci fetched an extraordinary price at the 2017 auction, solidifying its place in the history of art sales.
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Interchange by Willem de Kooning sold for $300 million in 2015
Interchange, also known as Interchanged, is an abstract expressionist oil painting created by the Dutch-American painter Willem de Kooning in 1955. Measuring 200.7 by 175.3 centimetres (79.0 by 69.0 inches), the painting is a notable work in de Kooning's oeuvre as it marks a transition from his earlier focus on female subjects to abstract urban landscapes. This shift in thematic interest is reflected in the composition of Interchange, which features a fleshy pink mass at its centre, representing a seated woman. The painting also signifies a change in de Kooning's painting technique, influenced by artist Franz Kline, who encouraged the use of quickly made gestural marks instead of violent brush strokes.
The painting has a fascinating history of ownership, which has contributed to its allure and value. Originally sold by de Kooning in 1955 for $4,000, Interchange was purchased by architect Edgar Kaufmann Jr., whose father owned Kaufmann's department store in Pittsburgh. Following Edgar Jr.'s death in 1989, the painting was auctioned off as part of his estate during the Japanese asset price bubble. It was sold at Sotheby's in New York to Japanese art dealer Shigeki Kameyama, owner of the Mountain Tortoise Gallery in Tokyo, for $20.7 million, setting a record price for a work by a living artist at the time. However, due to the bursting of the Japanese asset price bubble and the early 1990s recession, Kameyama sold the painting at a loss to David Geffen a few years later.
In September 2015, Geffen sold Interchange for $300 million to hedge fund manager and billionaire Kenneth C. Griffin, making it the second most expensive painting ever sold at the time, surpassed only by Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi, which sold for $450.3 million in 2017. The sale of Interchange in 2015 was part of a $500 million package that included another significant work, Number 17A by Jackson Pollock. The painting's value can be attributed to its unique story and its association with notable figures in modern American history.
The previous owners of Interchange, particularly its early collectors, add to its prestige and allure. The painting's connection to the Kaufmann family, with their prominent department store in Pittsburgh, and its subsequent ownership by a renowned Japanese art dealer during the Japanese asset price bubble, contribute to its rich history. The sale of Interchange in 2015 by David Geffen, a well-known American businessman and philanthropist, further emphasises the painting's association with influential individuals.
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Nafea Faa Ipoipo? (When Will You Marry?) by Paul Gauguin sold for $210 million
Paul Gauguin's "Nafea Faa Ipoipo?" ("When Will You Marry?") is a painting from 1892. It depicts two Tahitian women, one of whom sports a white tiare flower behind her left ear, indicating that she is seeking a husband. This was a common theme in Gauguin's work at the time, as he was fascinated by the Tahitian language. The painting was on loan to the Kunstmuseum in Basel, Switzerland for nearly half a century. In 2015, it was sold privately by the family of Rudolf Staechelin, a retired Sotheby's executive, to Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani for close to $210 million, making it one of the most expensive artworks ever sold.
The sale of "Nafea Faa Ipoipo?" is a notable example of the high prices that can be commanded by the works of artists who were not fully recognised during their lifetimes. Gauguin, for instance, died in 1903 at the age of 54, with his art receiving little or no acclaim. However, he would go on to become a major influence on 20th-century greats such as Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, and Henri Matisse.
The painting's sale also illustrates the complex nature of the art market, where prices in private sales are often closely guarded secrets, especially when they reach high levels. This can make it difficult to ascertain the exact price of a work and can lead to disputes over the ranking of artworks by price.
"Nafea Faa Ipoipo?" is a significant work in the history of art, not only for the price it commanded but also for its artistic qualities and the influence it had on subsequent artists. It is a testament to Gauguin's talent and vision, even if this was only fully recognised long after his death.
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Number 17A by Jackson Pollock sold for $200 million in 2015
Number 17A, created by Jackson Pollock in 1948, is a testament to the artist's innovative drip painting technique. This abstract expressionist work, featuring a complex colour vortex and dynamic brushstrokes, sold for an astonishing $200 million in 2015. This sale set a world record at the time, showcasing the immense value placed on Pollock's unique artistic style.
Number 17A is a striking example of Jackson Pollock's mastery of the abstract expressionist movement. Completed on a fiberboard canvas using oil paints, the painting embodies Pollock's signature drip technique, where paint is poured or splashed onto a horizontal surface. This method, rooted in the work of André Masson and Max Ernst, creates a mesmerising interplay of colours and patterns.
The painting's history includes a feature in the 1949 Life magazine, which propelled Jackson Pollock into the spotlight and sparked debates about his artistic prowess. Despite initial scrutiny and unpopularity, Number 17A's sale in 2015 to billionaire hedge fund manager Kenneth C. Griffin solidified its place in art history.
The $200 million price tag positioned Number 17A as the fifth most expensive painting ever sold at that time. This sale highlights the significant shift in the art market's perception of drip paintings, elevating them from once-unpopular to record-breaking masterpieces. The previous record was held by Gustav Klimt's Water Serpents II, which sold for $183.8 million in a private sale in 2013.
Number 17A's sale in 2015 underscores the enduring appeal and value of Jackson Pollock's work. The painting's abstract beauty and historical significance continue to captivate art enthusiasts and collectors alike, ensuring its enduring legacy in the world of fine arts.
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Frequently asked questions
The most expensive painting in the world is the *Mona Lisa* by Leonardo da Vinci, valued at $970 million.
While there is no definitive list, one source ranks *Salvator Mundi* by Leonardo da Vinci as the second most expensive painting, selling for $450 million in 2017.
Gauguin's *Nafea Faa Ipoipo?* or *When Will You Marry?* is one of the most expensive paintings ever sold, originally reported as $300 million but later revealed to be $210 million.
Interchange by de Kooning was sold for $300 million in 2015, making it the most expensive piece of modern art ever sold.
Jeff Koons holds this record. His *Rabbit* sculpture sold for $91.1 million at a 2019 auction.
