Isabella Flores
The world's most expensive painting is a topic of much intrigue, with several paintings fetching astronomical prices over the years. The most expensive painting ever sold at a public auction is Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi, which sold for a staggering $450 million in 2017. However, some believe the Mona Lisa, also by Leonardo da Vinci, is the world's costliest painting, with a valuation of $970 million. Beyond these record-breaking sales, several other paintings have commanded eye-watering prices, including Interchange by Willem de Kooning, which sold for $300 million, and The Card Players by Paul Cézanne, which fetched $250 million. These sales highlight the extraordinary value placed on certain artistic masterpieces by collectors and enthusiasts alike.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Leonardo da Vinci |
| Painting | Salvator Mundi |
| Date of Sale | 15 November 2017 |
| Sale Price | $450 million |
| Buyer | Bader bin Abdullah Al Saud |
| Buyer's Alleged Client | Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman |
| Current Owner | Saudi Arabian Culture Ministry |
| Auction House | Christie's |
| Location | New York |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Subject | Jesus Christ |
| Genre | Italian High Renaissance |
| Date of Creation | c. 1499-1510 |
| Previous Owner | Dmitry Rybolovlev |
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What You'll Learn
Salvator Mundi, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, sold for $450 million
Salvator Mundi, a painting by Leonardo da Vinci, currently holds the record for the highest price paid for a painting. It sold for a staggering $450 million at a Christie's auction in New York in 2017. The buyer was an anonymous bidder, later revealed to be Prince Badr bin Abdullah, who was allegedly acting on behalf of the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Salvator Mundi, which translates to "Savior of the World", depicts Jesus Christ in Renaissance attire, making a gesture of blessing with his right hand while holding a crystal orb in his left. The painting is believed to have been commissioned by King Louis XII of France in 1500, shortly after he conquered the Duchy of Milan and Genoa in the Second Italian War. It is thought to have been created by da Vinci around the same time as the Mona Lisa, which is also considered one of the most valuable paintings in the world.
The painting's attribution to da Vinci has been a subject of debate among art scholars. While some believe it is an original work by the master, others argue that it may have been created by his pupils or followers, with da Vinci only contributing certain elements. The painting's extensive restoration has also made it difficult to definitively attribute it to any one artist. However, several features, such as the use of pentimenti, the sfumato effect on the face, and the detailed rendering of the hands, are indicative of da Vinci's style and techniques.
The painting's value lies not only in its artistic merit but also in its history and the intrigue surrounding its attribution. The fact that it was lost for nearly two centuries, only to be rediscovered and restored to its former glory, adds to its allure. The controversy and debate surrounding its origins have only fueled its popularity and desirability among collectors.
The sale of Salvator Mundi for $450 million set a new record for the most expensive painting ever sold at a public auction. This sale highlights the immense value and prestige associated with owning a masterpiece by one of the most renowned artists in history, Leonardo da Vinci.
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Interchange by Willem de Kooning sold for $300 million
The most expensive painting in the world is widely believed to be *Salvator Mundi*, painted by Leonardo da Vinci. It sold for a staggering $450 million at a Christie's auction in 2017. However, there has been some controversy surrounding the painting, as many scholars doubt that it was entirely painted by da Vinci himself, citing that the overall composition does not align with da Vinci's style.
Coming in second place is *Interchange* by Willem de Kooning, which sold for $300 million. This abstract expressionist oil painting on canvas was completed in 1955 and marked a transition in de Kooning's work, both in terms of subject matter and technique. The painting's subject matter shifted from women to abstract urban landscapes, specifically New York City, where he lived. This shift in focus was influenced by artist Franz Kline, who encouraged de Kooning to adopt a style of painting with quickly made gestural marks. The painting features a fleshy pink mass at its centre, representing a seated woman.
Interchange was originally sold by de Kooning in 1955 for $4,000. It then sold for a record-breaking price of $20.7 million in 1989 to Japanese art dealer Shigeki Kameyama, before being sold at a loss to David Geffen due to the recession in the early 1990s. Finally, in 2015, Geffen sold the painting for $300 million to hedge fund manager and billionaire Kenneth C. Griffin, CEO of Citadel. The painting is currently on display at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Other honourable mentions of expensive paintings include:
- The Card Players by Paul Cézanne, which sold for $250 million to the Royal Family of Qatar in 2011.
- Nafea Faa Ipoipo by Paul Gaugin, which sold for $210 million.
- Adoration of the Magi by Andrea Mantegna, which sold for £8.1 million in 1985 (£23.7 million in 2024 currency).
- Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers by Vincent van Gogh, which sold for £24.75 million in 1987 (£87.9 million in 2024 currency).
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Card Players by Paul Cézanne sold for $250 million
The most expensive painting in the world is Salvator Mundi, which was sold for a price of $450 million at a Christie's auction in 2017. However, Card Players by Paul Cézanne previously held the record for the highest price ever paid for a painting when it was sold for $250 million in 2011.
Paul Cézanne's Card Players is a series of five oil paintings created in the early 1890s. The paintings depict Provençal or Aix-en-Provence peasants immersed in a game of cards. Cézanne also completed numerous drawings and studies in preparation for the series. The paintings vary in size, the number of players, and the setting in which the game takes place.
One version of Card Players was sold to the Royal Family of Qatar in 2011 for an estimated price of $250 million. This sale set a new record for the highest price ever paid for a painting, nearly doubling the previous record. The painting was purchased from the private collection of Greek shipping magnate George Embiricos.
The remaining four paintings in the series are believed to have been created at the turn of the 20th century and reside in collections from some of the world's most venerable fine arts institutions: the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Musée d'Orsay, the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, and the Barnes Foundation.
While Card Players by Paul Cézanne held the record for the highest price ever paid for a painting, it was surpassed in November 2017 by the sale of Salvator Mundi, which sold for $450 million. Salvator Mundi is attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, although there is some controversy surrounding the painting as some scholars doubt that it was entirely painted by the artist.
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Nafea Faa Ipoipo by Paul Gauguin sold for $210 million
Nafea Faa Ipoipo (When Will You Marry?) by Paul Gauguin is a painting that sold for close to $210 million in 2014 or 2015. This price is one of the highest ever paid for a work of art. The painting was created in 1892, shortly after Gauguin's first trip to Tahiti in 1891. It depicts a native young woman with a white flower in her hair, indicating that she is ready for marriage, and her mother sitting protectively over her. The painting was on loan to the Kunstmuseum in Basel, Switzerland, for nearly half a century before being sold privately by the family of Rudolf Staechelin, a retired Sotheby's executive, to Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, a Qatari buyer, in February 2015.
The sale of Nafea Faa Ipoipo for $210 million was the subject of a legal dispute, as Simon de Pury and his wife Michaela de Pury sought a $10 million commission for assisting with the sale. The de Purys claimed they had a gentleman's agreement with Staechelin, who contested that he owed them commission, arguing that he was deceived about possible higher offers for the painting. The High Court in London ruled in favour of the de Purys in 2018, recognising their role in the transaction.
While Nafea Faa Ipoipo by Paul Gauguin sold for a remarkable sum, it is not the most expensive painting ever sold. That title is often given to Salvator Mundi, which sold for over $450 million at a Christie's auction in 2017. However, there is controversy surrounding this painting, as some scholars doubt that it was entirely created by Leonardo da Vinci. The most expensive painting in the world, if one considers its valuation rather than sale price, may be the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, which is valued at $970 million.
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Wedding portraits by Rembrandt sold for $180 million
The most expensive painting in the world is *Salvator Mundi*, which sold for over $450 million at a Christie's auction in 2017. The painting, which translates to "Savior of the World", was created by Leonardo da Vinci and is considered a controversial masterpiece.
While *Salvator Mundi* holds the record for the highest price paid for a painting, there have been other notable sales that have captured the attention of the art world. One such sale involved a pair of wedding portraits by Rembrandt that sold for $180 million. These portraits, completed in 1634, depict Marten Soolmans and his fiancée Oopjen Coppit. The works are particularly unique as they have been kept together since their creation, a rarity for 17th-century portrait pairs.
The Rembrandt portraits have a rich history, having been in the possession of the Rothschild family since 1878. In 2017, the Dutch government pledged $90.3 million to support the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam's efforts to acquire these masterpieces, recognizing their exceptional artistic value. The total cost of the acquisition was $180.6 million, with the remaining funds provided by the museum itself.
The sale of the Rembrandt portraits highlights the importance placed on preserving and valuing artistic masterpieces. It also demonstrates the willingness of governments and cultural institutions to collaborate and invest in bringing significant artworks back into public view.
The portraits now alternate between being displayed at the Louvre and the Rijksmuseum, ensuring that they are accessible to art enthusiasts and the general public. This arrangement also guarantees that the portraits will never be separated, maintaining their historical integrity.
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Frequently asked questions
Salvator Mundi, which sold for $450 million at a Christie's auction in 2017, is attributed in whole or part to Leonardo da Vinci.
The painting was sold to an anonymous buyer, but The New York Times reported that the buyer was acting for a Saudi prince, Bader bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan al-Saud.
Salvator Mundi is Latin for 'Savior of the World'.
