Top 5 Most Expensive Artworks in the World – What’s Your Guess?

The most expensive artworks in the world have been sold for astronomical prices due to their artistic value and historical importance. Below are some of the highest-priced works ever sold, along with a bit of background about each piece.

1. Salvator Mundi – Leonardo da Vinci

• Price: $450.3 million (2017)

• Reason for Selection: Only around 20 of da Vinci’s works are known to exist, and most are housed in museums. This piece, depicting Jesus Christ, is the only one privately owned, making it exceptionally rare and historically significant. It showcases da Vinci’s mastery of chiaroscuro and his innovative use of light and shadow. The painting, which is both a religious and artistic symbol of the Renaissance, gained even more attention due to debates about its authenticity and extensive restoration. Dubbed the "Lost Treasure of the Renaissance," it has become an icon of the modern art market.

• Backstory: Believe it or not, this painting was sold for just £45 (about $60) at an auction in 1958! In 2017, it was purchased by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the record-breaking sum.

2. Interchange – Willem de Kooning

• Price: $300 million (2015)

• Reason for Selection: This is a prime example of Abstract Expressionism and represents a key turning point in de Kooning’s career. The bold brushstrokes and vivid colors reflect a pivotal shift from his earlier figurative work to full abstraction. It captures de Kooning’s artistic evolution, which holds immense historical and creative value in art history.

• Backstory: This modern masterpiece was sold in a private sale to billionaire Kenneth C. Griffin in 2015. Its groundbreaking price marked a new milestone in the valuation of contemporary art, elevating the status of Abstract Expressionism alongside works by classical masters.

3. The Card Players – Paul Cézanne

• Price: $250 million (2011)

• Reason for Selection: This Post-Impressionist masterpiece is a hallmark of Cézanne’s skill in composition and color. It captures a simple yet profound scene of rural French farmers playing cards, blending simplicity with depth. As part of a series of five paintings, each with its own unique details and dimensions, this piece exemplifies Cézanne’s genius and transition from Impressionism to Post-Impressionism.

• Backstory: The painting was purchased by the Qatari royal family in 2011, signaling the rise of the Middle Eastern art market and reflecting the royal family's ambitions to bolster Qatar’s cultural presence. Cézanne’s work has been widely recognized as a precursor to modern art, earning him the title of “Father of Modern Art” from artists like Picasso and Matisse.

4. Les Femmes d'Alger (Version O) – Pablo Picasso

• Price: $179.4 million (2015)

• Reason for Selection: One of Picasso’s later works, this piece was inspired by Eugène Delacroix’s painting of the same name. Its bold use of color and geometric forms makes it a landmark in modern art.

• Backstory: This painting, part of a 15-piece series created between 1954 and 1955, was sold at Christie’s auction in 2015 after a heated bidding war that lasted just 11 minutes. As the final piece in the series, “Version O” is considered the most refined and complete. It also reflects Picasso’s commentary on Algeria’s colonial struggles, symbolizing both strength and beauty.

5. Nu Couché – Amedeo Modigliani

• Price: $170.4 million (2015)

• Reason for Selection: This work is part of Modigliani’s iconic reclining nude series and is praised for its bold yet elegant depiction of the human form. Modigliani’s unique use of elongated figures and warm tones set his nudes apart as innovative and groundbreaking.

• Backstory: Painted in 1917, the work caused such a stir during its first exhibition that the police shut it down for being too provocative. Modigliani’s tragically short life (he died at 36) and limited body of work make his pieces highly sought-after. In 2015, it was purchased by Chinese billionaire Liu Yiqian, further highlighting Modigliani’s enduring appeal in the global art market.

These artworks not only hold immense monetary value but also reflect significant shifts in art history and cultural narratives. Each sale has been a landmark moment, drawing attention to the evolving tastes and priorities of collectors around the world. Which one would you want to see in person?