The 10 most expensive paintings sold around the world (2024)

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What is the most expensive painting in the World top 10? ›

"Salvator Mundi" by Leonardo da Vinci

"Salvator Mundi" is renowned for being the world's most expensive painting. This artwork, depicting Jesus Christ as the Savior of the World, was lost for years before its rediscovery.

The Mona Lisa, part of the Louvre Museum collection in Paris since 1804 and both the most famous and most expensive painting in the world, would be worth US$860 million today, it was widely estimated.

This is a list of the highest known prices paid for paintings. The record is approximately US$450.3 million (which includes commission), paid for Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi ( c. 1500).

While the price tag associated with it is hard to calculate, considering it is deemed priceless; the estimated cost for the Mona Lisa price is approximately $860 Million.

King Francis I of France acquired the Mona Lisa after Leonardo's death in 1519, and it is now the property of the French Republic. It has normally been on display at the Louvre in Paris since 1797.

If the law of France was ever to change according to the “Guiness World Records”, the Mona Lisa was valued at 100 million dollars in 1962 for insurance purposes. With inflation taken into account, today's value of the Mona Lisa would be nearing a billion – 1.5 billion pounds.

Though Mr. Bezos could theoretically afford it, the Mona Lisa isn't for sale, and France likely wouldn't be willing to give it up. “As a general rule, the French Heritage Code states that works in French national collections (e.g., the Louvre) are deemed to be French national treasures.

Therefore the highest price paid is 179 million for Les Femmes d'Alger all the way down to nobody wanted it. On average you can buy a Picasso for about 100 million, but you can actually pick up one for 20.000.

The painting was then sold to Georgette P. van Stolk and then the Paul Rosenberg Gallery, from which the Museum of Modern Art in New York acquired the work in 1941, where it has been housed since.

1. Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci (1503-1505) Probably the most famous painting in the world is Leonardo da Vinci's La Gioconda, better known as Mona Lisa. This painting is a portrait of Madame Gherardini, personifying the ideal woman of the Renaissance.

What is the ridiculously expensive painting? ›

Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci

Salvator Mundi, translated to “Savior of the World,” is not only the world's most expensive painting—it's possibly the most controversial painting, as well.

The most expensive painting ever sold is the Salvator Mundi, the Saviour of the World in English, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. It was painted in the 1500s and sold for $450.3 million in 2017. The painting was acquired by Mohamed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia.

Numerous key galleries and museums such as. Vincent van Gogh's work has been offered at auction multiple times, with realized prices ranging from 3 USD to 117,180,000 USD, depending on the size and medium of the artwork.

We know he started the Mona Lisa in 1503 and Da Vinci died in 1519. We know Da Vinci took it with him to France where he may have continued intermittently working on it up up until his death, hence why the Louvre says 1503 – 1519. Some people say 12 years, some say 4 years, some say 7 years.

Van Gogh produced numerous artworks during his lifetime, and each bears an unforgettable uniqueness. He has created some of the most recognizable pieces in art history, including the iconic The Starry Night (1889), estimated at between $70 million to $100 million.

Auction house Christie's just sold a painting for more than $100 million, although the artwork, the buyer and the seller were officially kept a secret. Art dealers familiar with the transaction told CNBC the painting was Mark Rothko's "No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red)," painted in 1951.

Christie's salesroom the moment after the hammer came down, selling Leonardo's Salvator Mundi for $400 million.

The piece, Nafea Faa Ipoipo (When Will You Marry?), is believed to have fetched $300 million. The oil-on-canvas was produced in 1892 during Gauguin's first visit to French Polynesia. It features a pair of Tahitian girls seated next to a tree.

Though Mr. Bezos could theoretically afford it, the Mona Lisa isn't for sale, and France likely wouldn't be willing to give it up. “As a general rule, the French Heritage Code states that works in French national collections (e.g., the Louvre) are deemed to be French national treasures.