Most Expensive Paintings Sold at Auction
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- Admin
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- paintings, fine art, expensive art, expensive paintings, art at auction
- Posted date:
- 14-01-2025

Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci
"Salvator Mundi" by Leonardo da Vinci holds the record for the most expensive painting ever sold at auction. This masterpiece, attributed to the legendary Renaissance artist, was sold for an astonishing $450.3 million at Christie’s in 2017. The painting depicts Christ holding a crystal orb, symbolising the heavens and the universe, with his right hand raised in blessing.
Though the work's attribution to Leonardo has been debated, its significance is undeniable. Originally commissioned by King Louis XII of France, it went through centuries of obscurity before being rediscovered and restored in the 20th century. The painting's journey from a modest price at auction in 1958 to its historic sale highlights the enduring fascination with Leonardo’s genius.
No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red) by Mark Rothko
Mark Rothko's "No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red)" stands as a testament to the power of abstract expressionism. This large-scale canvas, painted in 1951, features Rothko's signature colour blocks, with vibrant tones of violet, green, and red interacting to create a profound emotional impact. In 2014, the painting was sold privately for $186 million, making it one of the most expensive abstract works in history.
The sale was part of the Yves Bouvier art scandal, where inflated prices and secretive dealings surrounded high-profile transactions. Despite the controversy, "No. 6" remains a celebrated piece of Rothko’s oeuvre, embodying his exploration of colour and spirituality. The artist himself once remarked that his works aimed to evoke the “basic human emotions” of tragedy, ecstasy, and doom.
Three Studies of Lucian Freud by Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon’s triptych "Three Studies of Lucian Freud" made headlines in 2013 when it fetched $142.4 million at Christie’s, setting a record for the most expensive artwork at auction at the time. The painting is a tribute to Bacon’s friendship and rivalry with fellow artist Lucian Freud. Each of the three panels depicts Freud in dynamic, distorted poses, showcasing Bacon’s raw and visceral style.
The work was painted in 1969, during a period of intense creativity for Bacon. It captures Freud's essence while pushing the boundaries of portraiture with its emotional intensity and unique perspective. The triptych format allows viewers to see multiple facets of the subject, a technique that Bacon often used to explore movement and identity.
The piece was purchased by Elaine Wynn, a notable art collector, and remains a symbol of Bacon’s mastery of form and emotion. Its record-breaking sale underscored the value of 20th-century art and the enduring appeal of Bacon’s uncompromising vision.
Women in Algiers by Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso's "Women in Algiers (Version O)" is a vibrant homage to the rich history of art and the works of Eugene Delacroix. Completed in 1955, it is the final piece in a series of 15 variations inspired by Delacroix’s 19th-century masterpiece. The painting sold for $179.4 million at Christie’s in 2015, marking it as one of the most expensive works ever auctioned.
"Women in Algiers" features Picasso’s signature cubist style, with fragmented forms, bold colours, and an abstracted composition. The piece combines sensuality and complexity, exploring themes of exoticism and modernity. Picasso reinterpreted Delacroix’s romanticism through his avant-garde lens, creating a work that resonates across centuries.
The auction attracted international attention, with bidding wars driving the price to record heights. The painting’s sale reflects Picasso’s unrivalled status in the art world and the enduring fascination with his ability to reimagine classical themes through modern art.
The Card Players by Paul Cezanne
Paul Cezanne’s "The Card Players" is often hailed as a cornerstone of modern art, blending impressionist techniques with a structural approach that influenced cubism. A version of this series was sold in a private sale to the Qatari royal family in 2011 for approximately $250 million, making it one of the most expensive paintings ever sold.
Created in the early 1890s, "The Card Players" series depicts provincial labourers absorbed in a game of cards, highlighting themes of simplicity and concentration. Cezanne’s meticulous attention to form, colour, and composition elevated the everyday scene into a timeless work of art.
This particular painting’s record-breaking sale underscored the growing influence of Middle Eastern buyers in the art market and the timeless appeal of Cezanne’s work. The series as a whole remains celebrated for its pivotal role in bridging 19th-century impressionism and 20th-century modernism, solidifying Cezanne’s legacy as a master innovator.
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