Top 10 Most Expensive Paintings

This is the list of most expensive paintings ever sold in the market. This list is up to date for the known prices paid for any paintings in the world. The list showcases paintings sold at either public auctions or private sales. Take a closer look at what makes these paintings so special. Some of these painting are worth a lot more than their sale prices. The years of sales are from 1989 to very recent sales in 2012.

10. Portrait of Joseph Roulin

          $ 105 Million

Painted in 1889 by Vincent Van Gogh, this is from series of paintings called “The Roulin Family”. Joseph Roulin was one of the supporting friends of Van Gogh. This painting was sold on August 1, 1989 (100 years after it was painted) via Private sale.

9. Nude, Green Leaves and Bust

     $ 106.5 Million

This was painted in 1932 by Pablo Picasso. This is one of the most expensive work by Pablo Picasso ever sold at auction. Sold on May 4, 2010 via Christie’s New York, buyer of the painting is anonymous.

8. The Scream

    $ 119.9 Million

This masterpiece by Edvard Munch was painted in 1893. Edvard Munch was a Norwegian painter. Landscape in the background of the painting is the view from Ekeberg, Oslo, Norway. It was recently sold on May 2, 2012 via Sotheby’s, New York. Buyer of the painting is American businessman, Leon David Black.

7. Garçon à la pipe

    $ 126.4 Million

This painting was also painted by Pablo Picasso in the year 1905. The painting depicts a Parisian boy holding a pipe in his hand. This painting is an example of oil on canvas. It was sold on May 4, 2004 via Sotheby’s, New York.

6. Bal du Moulin de la Galette

   $ 138.7 Million

It was painted by French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir in the year 1876. Painting depicts a dance at Le Moulin de la Galette. It was sold on May 17, 1990 via Sotheby’s, New York.

5. Portrait of Dr. Gachet

    $ 146.5 Million

It was painted by Vincent van Gogh in June of 1890.This painting depicts Dr. Paul Gachet, who took care of van Gogh during the final months of his life. It was sold on May 15, 1990 via Christie’s New York.

4. Portrait of Adele Bloch- Bauer I

    $ 152.6 Million

Gustav Klimt took 3 years to complete this wonderful painting in 1907. This painting is an example of  oil, silver, and gold on canvas. It was painted in Vienna. Painting has an interesting history of being confiscated by the Nazi Germany (when Nazis occupied Austria) and then later it was put to auction. It was sold on June 18, 2006 in Private sale via Christie’s.

3. Woman III

   $ 156.5 Million

It was completed in two years from 1951 to 1953 by Willem de Kooning. This painting was once part of Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art before the revolution in 1979. It was sold on November 18, 2006 in Private sale to billionaire Steven A. Cohen.

2. No. 5, 1948

   $ 159.4 Million

It was painted by an American painter, Jackson Pollock in 1950. It was once most expensive painting in the world until 2011. Painting looks like a nest with brown and yellow paint on top of it. Painting is said to have been purchased by entertainment mogul David Geffen in November 2006 in Private sale.

1. The Card Players

  $ 254 Million

This is the most expensive painting in the world. This masterpiece was painted in the years from 1894 to 1895 by French artist Paul Cézanne. Painting is said to have worth of $300 million, making it one of the most expensive work of art ever sold in the world. It was sold in 2011 via Private sale. Buyer of this painting is Royal Family of Qatar.