1. Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci ($450.3 million)
This artwork, depicting Jesus Christ as ‘Savior of the World’, was sold at a Christie’s auction in New York in November 2017. The staggering $450.3 million price tag made it the most expensive painting ever sold at auction.
2. Interchange by Willem de Kooning ($300 million)
This abstract expressionist painting was part of a private sale in September 2015, brokered by Christie’s. The final price of approximately $300 million places it among the most expensive artworks ever sold.
3. The Card Players by Paul Cézanne ($250 million)
This post-impressionist work was acquired by the State of Qatar in a private sale in 2011. At approximately $250 million, it is one of the most expensive paintings sold privately.
4. Nafea Faa Ipoipo (When Will You Marry?) by Paul Gauguin ($210 million)
This post-impressionist masterpiece was sold to the State of Qatar in a private sale in February 2015. The final price of approximately $210 million made headlines around the world.
5. Number 17A by Jackson Pollock ($200 million)
Sold privately to Kenneth Griffin in September 2015, this abstract expressionist piece was part of a landmark deal that also included Willem de Kooning’s ‘Interchange’. The final price for ‘Number 17A’ was approximately $200 million.
6. No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red) by Mark Rothko ($186 million)
This abstract expressionist work was sold privately to Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev in August 2014. At a price of approximately $186 million, it ranks among the most expensive paintings ever sold.
7. Wasserschlangen II (Water Serpents II) by Gustav Klimt ($183.8 million)
This symbolist work was sold to an unknown buyer in a private sale in 2013. The final price of approximately $183.8 million places it among the most expensive private sales in art history.
8. Portraits of Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit by Rembrandt ($180 million)
These full-length wedding portraits were sold jointly to the Louvre and Rijksmuseum in September 2015. The final price of approximately $180 million made it one of the most significant sales of Old Master paintings.
9. Les Femmes d'Alger (Version 'O') by Pablo Picasso ($179.4 million)
This cubist work was sold at a Christie’s auction in New York to the former prime minister of Qatar, Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, in May 2015. The final price of $179.4 million made it the most expensive Picasso ever sold at auction.
10. Nu couché by Amedeo Modigliani ($170.4 million)
This nude portrait was sold at a Christie’s auction in New York to Chinese billionaire Liu Yiqian in November 2015. The final price of $170.4 million places it among the most expensive paintings ever sold at auction.