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This article explores the ten most expensive paintings in the world sold at auctions in 2023-2024. Let us know your favourite in the comment section.

The world has evolved, and over time, some of its histories and memories have been captured in paintings. Of course, we can not possibly know what happened in the past without being told through history recorded by an eyewitness. So it is possible to reach the past and understand the events of the past through the evidence our past generations left behind, such as murals, paintings, sculptures, and others, which will be recognized throughout history.

Interestingly, some old paintings left behind by our forefathers thousands of years ago have become valuable in our generation.

Some of these paintings are worth millions of dollars. These include art from many different places around the world.

So, without further ado, I will take you on a journey to see the ten (10) most expensive paintings in the world in this comprehensive guide.

Top 10 Most Expensive Paintings In The World

1. Salvator Mundi (Saviour Of The World), By Leonardo Da Vinci ($450,300, 000) –

The painting Salvator Mundi which is also known as Saviour of the World, is claimed to have been painted by Leonardo Da Vinci.

Salvator Mundi is the painting of Jesus Christ portrayed in Renaissance clothing and offering benediction with his right hand lifted with crossed two fingers and a crystal ball in his left hand.

This painting is popular. You have probably seen it on the internet or in a book. Salvator Mundi is valued at $450,300,000.

2. Interchange by Willem De Kooning ($300,000,000) –

Interchange by Willem De Kooning was completed in 1955.

It took quite a while for such a design to be completed.

Willem De Kooning was a Dutch-American Painter who belonged to the abstract expressionism school and Interchanged on an oil canvas.

Moreover, this was Willem’s first abstract landscape, which was influenced by Franz Kline’s artistic style.

3. The Card Players By Paul Cézanne ($250,000,000) –

Tied on number 3 is The Card Players by Paul Cezanne. ‘The Card Players’ is a series of oil paintings by the French Post-Impressionist artist, Paul Cézanne. There are five paintings in the series. The versions vary in size, the number of players, and the setting where the game takes place.

Cézanne painted these during his final period in the early 1890s. In 2015, this portrait held the record of the most expensive painting in human history.

A version of ‘The Card Players’ was sold to the Qatar royal family from a Greek shipping billionaire, George Embircos, at $274,000,000 (274 million USD).

The picture illustrates Tehemana as one of the characters featured in the painting. Tehemana is Paul Cézanne’s wife, who was 13 years old at the time.

4. When Will You Marry by Paul Gauguin ($210,000,000) –

Have you ever asked the history behind the popular phrase “When Will You Marry?” Most likely, it was brought upon the world by Paul Gauguin through his painting.

Paul Gauguin is said to hold the record for the most expensive painting in the world with one of the 1892 pictures.

However, in February 2015, his painting of two Tahitian girls set a new world record when it was bought by the Qatar museums from a private Swiss collector, Rudolf Staechelin at $300,000,000 (300 million USD).

5. No. 17A, 1948 By Jackson Pollock ($200,000,000) –

Jackson Pollock’s popular painting and most valuable painting is a post-World War II art that points to subconscious and spontaneous invention. This artwork however belongs to the school of painting.

This dripping painting method was influenced by André Masson and Max Ernst. The painting type is known as “Action Painting” according to an art historian, Harold Rosenberg.

6. No 6 (Violet, Green, and Red) By Mark Rothko ($186,000,000) –

Mark Rothko was a notable Russian-born American painter. He was a pioneer of abstract expressionism and was born in the United States.

Mark Rothko approached this painting with wholesome colours but Violet, Green, and Red are given an ambiguous moniker so that viewers can create their opinions.

Mark aimed to appeal to man’s primal emotions as he has always done with some of his artworks.

7. Les Femmes d’Alger (Version) By Picasso ($179,400,00) –

In 2015, Les Femmes d’Alger Version O set a global record for the most expensive painting after being auctioned and sold at $179.4 million.

The portrait is a part of Picasso’s 15-work series on Women of Algiers, which was inspired by the 19th-century Spanish master Eugene Delacroix.

8. Nu Couche By Amedeo Modigliani ($170,400,00) –

You have probably heard of the “Red Nude” or the “Reclining Nude” painting. It is an oil-on-canvas painting by Amedeo Modigliani which is also known as Nu Couche and was completed in 1917.

The Red Nude is undoubtedly a flawless fusion of classical idealism and modern-day sensuality. On the other hand, it is no doubt regarded as the painter’s magnum masterpiece.

9. Masterpiece By Roy Lichtenstein ($165,000,000) –

Tied on number 9 is Roy Lichtenstein’s Masterpiece which is valued at $165,000,000.

As a pioneer of the pop art movement, Roy Lichtenstein deflated the macho aura of American art and designed “Masterpiece” in 1962

Lichtenstein’s artwork is portrayed with a comic-book look and appealed to the general public as something that continually divides critics.

10. Jackson Pollock ($140,000,000) –

Jackson Pollock’s classic works make the top most expensive paintings in the world. However, Pollock’s classic work is not accessible to the general public yet pivotal in the development of modern art.

It has gained recognition which has passed the imagination. The sculpture designed on an 8 by 5 foot fibreboard reflects Pollock’s unique dripping technique and was sold to David Martinez in 2006 at $140 million by David Geffen.

Conclusion

Although I have only mentioned 10 out of the world’s most valuable paintings, there are still many things that you will come across when surfing the internet.

However, having mentioned the 10 most expensive paintings in the world in 2023, I would love to know the one that had you dripping in this article in the comment section.

Do you know any other paintings that would make the list of top most expensive paintings in the world?

Share your thoughts about each of the paintings and the painters of the top most expensive paintings in the world.

Image source: Wikipedia

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