The Supreme Ranking of The Top 50 Most Exquisite and High-Valued Paintings Worldwide

Table of Contents

Introduction

In the captivating realm of fine art, wonders abound. Discover the most exquisite and high-valued masterpieces, as we unravel the mystique behind the top 50 most expensive paintings globally.

1. Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci

Topping our list is Salvator Mundi, a 600-year-old painting by Leonardo da Vinci, the master artist himself. It was a lost entity until 2005 when it resurfaced and went under the hammer for a record-breaking $450.3 million at Christie’s in 2017.

2. Interchange by Willem de Kooning

Following closely is Interchange, a breath-taking abstract by Willem de Kooning, hailed as the forefather of Abstract Expressionism. In 2015, it garnered $300 million in a private sale setting the record for the highest privately sold painting.

3. The Card Players by Paul Cézanne

Paul Cézanne’s The Card Players, holding the third position, is a celebrated piece from his series of five paintings. It fetched a dazzling $250 million in a private sale to the Royal Family of Qatar in 2011.

4. Nafea Faa Ipoipo by Paul Gauguin

In fourth place is the enchanting Nafea Faa Ipoipo (When Will You Marry?) by Paul Gauguin. This coveted piece trails closely behind with a selling price of approximately $210 million in 2015.

5. Number 17A by Jackson Pollock

The mesmerizing Number 17A by Jackson Pollock, recognized for his signature drip painting style, sits proudly in fifth place. The artwork was sold to Kenneth Griffin, a billionaire hedge fund manager, for a groundbreaking $200 million in 2016.

6. No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red) by Mark Rothko

At sixth position, we have No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red) by Mark Rothko, which made headlines when it was secretly sold for a cool $186 million in 2014.

7. Wasserschlangen II by Gustav Klimt

Gustav Klimt’s Wasserschlangen II (Water Serpents II) at number seven, serves as a testament to early 20th-century Symbolism. It was purchased privately for $183.8 million in 2013.

8. Portrait of Marten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit by Rembrandt

Rembrandt’s Portrait of Marten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit marks the eighth position. These two captivating full-length portraits were jointly bought by the Louvre and Rijksmuseum for $180 million in 2015.

9. Les Femmes d’Alger by Pablo Picasso

In ninth place, we witness Pablo Picasso’s Les Femmes d’Alger, a vivid reflection of his signature Cubist style marking a high point in his illustrious career. The artwork broke records when it was sold for $179.4 million at Christie’s in 2015.

10. Nu couché by Amedeo Modigliani

Rounding off the top ten, we have Amedeo Modigliani’s Nu couché, a stunning nude which went under the hammer at $170.4 million at Christie’s in 2015.