When considering the most valuable paintings in the world, many might think of iconic masterpieces like the Mona Lisa. However, such works, along with others of immense historical significance, are typically considered priceless. As they are housed in museums and unlikely to ever reach the auction block, their market value is impossible to estimate.
The following ten artworks, however, have all been sold either at auction or through private
sales, and they are among the most expensive paintings ever to change hands.
10. Les Femmes d’Alger (Version O) by Pablo Picasso
Painted in 1955, Picasso’s Les Femmes d’Alger (Version O) is the last of 15 works exploring the same theme. This Cubist and Surrealist masterpiece was sold at a Christie’s auction in May 2015 for $179.3 million, setting a new record at the time for the Spanish artist. While the buyer was never officially confirmed, rumors suggest it may have been a former Prime Minister of Qatar. The painting is a vibrant reinterpretation of the Orientalist theme of women in a harem, showcasing Picasso’s mastery of form and color.
9. Portraits of Marten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit by Rembrandt van Rijn
Created in 1634 to celebrate the wedding of Marten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit, these paired portraits by Rembrandt were sold together for $180 million in 2016. Renowned for their detailed style and the artist's command of portraiture, these works have always been exhibited as a pair. Today, they are jointly owned by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the Louvre in Paris, with the institutions alternating their display to ensure the public can access these historically significant masterpieces.
8. Shot Sage Blue Marilyn by Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol’s Shot Sage Blue Marilyn, a vibrant portrait of Marilyn Monroe, sold for $195 million in May 2022. Based on a promotional image from the movie Niagara, this painting is one of Warhol’s most iconic works, epitomizing his exploration of celebrity culture through pop art. This sale not only set a record for the most expensive 20th-century artwork ever sold but also established Warhol as the highest-valued American artist.
7. Number 17A by Jackson Pollock
Abstract Expressionist Jackson Pollock's Number 17A was sold in September 2015 for $200 million to billionaire Kenneth C. Griffin. This piece, with its signature chaotic drips and splashes, represents Pollock's revolutionary approach to art and remains one of the most expensive paintings ever sold.
6. No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red) by Mark Rothko
Mark Rothko’s No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red), sold for approximately $203 million in a private transaction, is a quintessential example of the artist’s abstract style, characterized by vibrant fields of color. Painted in 1951, this piece was purchased by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev and became central to the infamous Bouvier Affair, a high-profile art fraud case involving dealer Yves Bouvier.
5. Wasserschlangen II by Gustav Klimt
Gustav Klimt’s Wasserschlangen II (also known as Water Serpents II) was sold for over $204 million in a private sale. Painted during the early 20th century, this masterpiece explores feminine beauty and same-sex relationships through Klimt’s intricate use of gold and symbolic representation. The artwork was looted by the Nazis during World War II but was later recovered. Its sensuality and luxurious detail highlight Klimt’s fascination with the female form.
4. Nafea Faa Ipoipo (When Will You Marry?) by Paul Gauguin
French Post-Impressionist Paul Gauguin’s Nafea Faa Ipoipo (1892) was sold in a private sale for almost $210 million in 2015 to Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani. The painting had been on loan to the Kunstmuseum in Basel, Switzerland, for nearly 50 years and is celebrated for its depiction of Polynesian women, reflecting Gauguin’s fascination with the culture.
3. The Card Players by Paul Cézanne
One version of Paul Cézanne’s five-painting series, The Card Players, was sold to the Royal Family of Qatar for around $250 million in 2011. This series, painted during Cézanne’s final period in the 1890s, captures the simple yet profound act of card-playing, making it one of the most valuable artworks in history.
2. Interchange by Willem de Kooning
Dutch-American Abstract Expressionist Willem de Kooning’s Interchange fetched $300 million in 2015. This large-scale painting, known for its energetic brushstrokes and vibrant palette, remains on display at the Art Institute of Chicago. Adjusted for inflation, its value exceeds $317 million, making it one of the highest-priced artworks ever sold.
1. Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi shattered records in November 2017 when it sold for an astounding $450.3 million. Acquired by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture, Badr bin Abdullah Al Saud, on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the painting has sparked debates about its attribution. Some scholars believe it may have been partially or entirely created by one of Da Vinci’s students. Regardless, this sale solidified Salvator Mundi as the most expensive painting ever sold.
