Art has always been a testament to humankind’s love of creation.
Since the dawn of humanity, we have proven time and again the need to create beauty. Our ancestors recorded how they saw the world through art, so we know what a vital piece of human existence it is. We’ve even discovered cave paintings that suggest our ancestors tried their best to decorate cave walls and leave a trace or lay a claim to their home.
Today, art can be seen everywhere, from t-shirt prints to bags, clothes, streets, etc. But let’s look back at the art that made waves through the years. Here are the most expensive paintings ever sold.
Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci
Dubbed ‘the most famous painting in the world,’ the mysterious Mona Lisa has gone from being an anonymous woman in the Renaissance to arguably the most renowned painting in the entire world. Leonardo da Vinci was many things, but he is most well-known for this Renaissance masterpiece.
This famous painting is stored in the Louvre museum in France, and although you can’t put a value on this painting of this caliber, its price was determined by how much insurance it has. In the 1960s the Mona Lisa was insured for $100 million. It is not for sale, but with inflation in mind, it is believed to be valued at $860 million today.
Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci
Another da Vinci masterpiece has made it to this list of the most expensive paintings ever made.
One principal theme of Renaissance art is religious imagery. Aside from the quintessential “The Last Supper,” by Leonardo da Vinci, another less popular painting of his is the Salvator Mundi, featuring more religious iconography. The title of the painting of Jesus Christ means ‘Saviour of the World’ in Latin.
Although it is lesser known than ‘The Last Supper,’ ‘Salvator Mundi’ is a more controversial painting among art enthusiasts. In 2005, two New York art dealers purchased the piece, not knowing it was by da Vinci. The artwork was in bad shape with incorrect restoration and heavy repainting. They brought it to an art restorer who realized that it was a missing da Vinci masterpiece, based on the previous master’s work.
After half a decade of research on the artwork, experts confirmed it to be a lost Leonardo da Vinci piece in 2011. The Salvator Mundi was then displayed at the London National Gallery. Then it was bought by a Saudi prince in 2016 for a whopping $460 million, making it the second most expensive painting in the world.
Interchange by Willem de Kooning
From Renaissance classics, this list now jumps to the 20th century with Willem de Kooning’s abstract work, ‘Interchange.’
De Kooning’s work is highly valued, as he is considered one of the pioneers of abstract expressionism, along with Jason Pollock. The movement became popular in the 1940s, and de Kooning created ‘Interchange’ a few years later at the height of abstract expressionism.
Interchange is one of a kind because it marks a period of transition for de Kooning from using the feminine form to creating landscapes. Aside from that, the papers for the sale of de Kooning originals are all accounted for, so it’s easy to determine their authenticity.
It’s no wonder that ‘Interchange’ was sold for $300 million in 2015 to a hedge fund investor who loaned it to the Art Institute of Chicago where it is now displayed.
The Card Players by Paul Cézanne
This series of paintings of the prolific post-impressionist artist sold for $250 million in 2011. Cézanne had many other masterpieces that are currently on display in museums worldwide.
‘The Card Players’ is regarded highly in the art world because of its depiction of simple everyday life. It brings humanity to art. It’s also a great example of the still-life art that has become a foundation for learning how to paint. Cézanne’s work focuses on creating perspective using only color, which is a tall order. Some of his masterpieces are displayed in renowned galleries like the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
Nafea Faa Ipoipo? by Paul Gauguin
Another post-impressionist work is next on the list for $229 million. Paul Gauguin was a contemporary of Paul Cézanne, and both worked with oil, the chosen medium of post-impressionist painters.
Gauguin visited Tahiti in 1891 and was inspired by the people he met there, which led him to paint his most expensive work, the ‘Nafea Faa Ipoipo?’ which means ‘When Will You Marry?’ The piece depicts two women, one sitting in front of the other.
The most important thing about this work is its subconscious message of the growth from girlhood into being a woman, hinted at by the title. ‘When Will You Marry?’ wasn’t particularly popular when Gauguin tried to sell it and he was only able to sell for 2,500 Francs. But when it was sold in 2015, the buyer paid $229 million, which shocked art collectors.
But Why is Art so Expensive?
It’s simple. When you purchase a piece of art from a renowned painter or sculptor, you are not just paying for the artwork itself. You are also paying for its historical value.
Art is one of the ways mankind has kept a record of its existence. It has been an integral part of our society. From cave paintings to street graffiti, every artist creates art to etch their way into the world. In a way, it is our signature on this earth. So when you buy art, you have a piece of humanity with you, a piece of us.