Painting is one of the oldest forms of art. With the help of a variety of palettes, brushes, spatulas, a person can express his inner world, depict his own vision of things. However, only the great masters entered History. Each of them was a genius. Each such picture was brilliant. And it remains so. Today, the works of the greatest artists are inserted at auctions and, passing from owner to owner, set more and more records for their value. We offer you 10 of the most expensive paintings in the world, sold in history.
10. Willem de Kooning "Woman III", 1953
Sold for $ 137.7 million.
This valuable painting is an abstract expressionist depiction of a woman. It was made using the graffiti technique: broad strokes combined with brush strokes on the canvas. In general, the picture evokes mixed emotions - its originality borders on insanity. Many psychologists argue that this style of writing speaks of the author's conflicted and painful attitude towards women. 137.7 million dl made up the cost of "Women" at a private auction.
9. Jackson Pollock "Number 5", 1948
It went under the hammer for $ 140 million.
"Number 5" is unique for its drip technique, which is also called "Action Painting". The specificity of this technique is that paints are applied by randomly spraying layer by layer. At first glance, the picture resembles a nest, woven from branches of yellow, brown and various shades of gray. Its cost is $ 140 million.
8. Amedeo Modigliani "Reclining Nude", 1917-1918
Sold for $ 170.4 million.
The image of a naked woman on a crimson sofa caused a storm of emotions and outrage among the public, which is why, immediately after it was displayed in the gallery, the police were forced to remove it. Art critics believe that Modigliani elevated the sexuality of women to religion long before Picasso and Matisse. "Lying Nude" was sold at auction for 170.4 million DLR.
7. Pablo Picasso "Algerian women (version O)", 1955
Purchased for $ 179,365,000.
The title of the painting speaks for itself: the work was dedicated to the situation of women in Algeria. Picasso was inspired by the works of the great Spanish artist Delacroix. The canvas is unique in that several artistic styles merge on it at once: postmodern, kitsch and classic. This feature makes Picasso's work highly desirable for private ownership. Sale price - $ 179.365 million.
6. Rembrandt van Rijn "Portraits of Martin Solmans and Opien Coppit", 1634
$ 180,000,000 is the cost of this painting.
The paintings were painted by Rembrandt on the occasion of the wedding of Martin Solmans and Opien Coppit. Until now, portraits of the newlyweds hang side by side at various exhibitions in museums in Amsterdam and Paris. It should be noted that the images are qualitatively different from the artist's previous works in size and in the fact that people are depicted on them in full growth. $ 180 million was the selling price of this expensive piece.
five.Mark Rothko "No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red)", 1951
The last bid was $ 186,000,000.
"Violet, Green and Red" is a striking representative of Abstract Expressionism. Rothko's style, which, by the way, was of Russian origin, is characterized by the absence of specific images and the use of horizontal stripes of various colors. Basically, the artist uses dark shades as a symbol of the depression that many artists of the post-war period were exposed to. In 2014, a Russian businessman bought it for an incredibly huge sum of $ 186 million.
4. Jackson Pollock "Number 17A", 1948
Has risen in price to $ 200,000,000.
Since 2015, the ratings of the most expensive paintings in the world have been replenished with another work by Jackson Pollock - "Number 17A". The "seventeenth number", like the "fifth", has all the same characteristic features: bright chaotic splashes on the canvas. $ 200 million is the price of the painting, adjusted for inflation.
3. Paul Cezanne, The Card Players, 1895
Repurchased at a price of $ 259,000,000.
The painting "The Card Players" reminds us of those classic images that are constantly found in art history textbooks, luxury magazines, gift photo albums and candy boxes. Interesting fact: the "card players" are the gardener and worker of the Cezanne family estate. The painting was bought by the royal family from Qatar for $ 259 million.
2. Paul Gauguin "When will you marry?", 1892
Sold for $ 300 million at a private auction.
Expensive Artwork "When Will You Get Married?" Is the pearl of postmodernism. It depicts two Tahitian girls in traditional dresses. Tahiti is the place where Paul Gauguin found his spiritual home. It was there that he revealed his potential as a great artist. At first, not everyone appreciated Gauguin's talent, but after many years his paintings became very popular all over the world. The painting was sold for 300 million at a private auction.
1. Willem de Kooning "Exchange". 1955
The most expensive painting in the world - $ 500 million.
Another example of Abstract Expressionism, "Exchange" is an image of the ugly face of the modern world, a face distorted by the horrors of World War II. The painting was sold in a major $ 500 million deal.
Many people say that real art is priceless. It really is. But modern society is a society of consumers obsessed with deals and sales. In our world, even priceless things will be given a price.