GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Statistics About The Most Expensive Paintings

Highlights: Most Expensive Paintings Statistics

  • The most expensive painting ever sold was Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci, at $450.3 million.
  • Of the 20 most expensive paintings ever sold, only one was by a woman, Georgia O'Keeffe, at $44.4 million.
  • The works of Pablo Picasso occupy 5 of the top 20 spots for the most expensive paintings ever sold.
  • 'The Card Players' by Paul Cézanne is one of the most expensive paintings ever sold privately at $250 million.
  • The most expensive painting by a living artist ever sold at an auction is Jeff Koons's "Rabbit" at $91.1 million.
  • Impression art consistently fetches higher prices at auctions, with 9 of the 20 most expensive paintings being from the genre.
  • The 'Scream', done by Edvard Munch, broke the record for the most expensive painting ever auctioned in 2012 at $119.9 million.
  • The most expensive still life painting ever sold at auction was 'Nature morte aux tulipes' by Pablo Picasso at $41.5 million.
  • Almost half (9 out of 20) of the most expensive paintings ever sold were sold after the year 2010.
  • Nearly 90% of the 50 most expensive paintings are held by museums and other public institutions, and can't be sold.
  • The most expensive American painting ever sold is 'Interchange' by Willem de Kooning, sold for $300 million.
  • 4 out of the 20 most expensive paintings were sold at Christie's Auction House.
  • The most expensive painting from the renaissance period to ever be sold is 'Salvator Mundi' by Leonardo da Vinci.
  • A record for the most expensive painting by a British artist was set by David Hockney's "Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)" at $90.3 million.
  • The most expensive painting by Vincent Van Gogh ever sold was 'Portrait of Dr. Gachet' at $82.5 million in 1990.
  • The record for the most expensive Impressionist painting was set by Claude Monet's "Meules" which sold for $110.7 million.
  • Among the top 20 most expensive paintings, Qatari royal family holds 3 paintings.
  • The most ever paid for a painting from the 19th century was for Gustav Klimt's 'Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I' at $135 million.
  • Only two of the 10 most expensive paintings have been sold to a private collector; the rest have gone to galleries or museums.

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In the world of art, the value of a painting extends far beyond its aesthetic appeal. Some paintings carry a price tag that can astonish even the most seasoned art connoisseur. From the magnificent brushstrokes of legendary masters to the rareness and historical significance of a particular piece, the factors that contribute to the sky-high prices of these artworks are as diverse as the art itself. In this blog post, we delve into the captivating world of statistics surrounding the most expensive paintings ever sold. Join us as we explore the jaw-dropping figures behind these art treasures and gain insights into the fascinating world of high-priced masterpieces.

The Latest Most Expensive Paintings Statistics Explained

The most expensive painting ever sold was Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci, at $450.3 million.

This statistic indicates that the painting named Salvator Mundi, created by the renowned artist Leonardo da Vinci, holds the distinction of being the most expensive painting ever sold. The painting fetched a record-breaking price of $450.3 million in the sale transaction. This highlights the remarkable value placed on this work of art, potentially due to its historical significance and the mastery demonstrated by da Vinci in its creation.

Of the 20 most expensive paintings ever sold, only one was by a woman, Georgia O’Keeffe, at $44.4 million.

This statistic indicates that among the 20 highest priced paintings ever sold, only one of them was created by a female artist, specifically Georgia O’Keeffe, with a price tag of $44.4 million. This highlights the significant underrepresentation of women in the top echelons of the art market, with the overwhelming majority of the highest valued paintings being produced by male artists. This finding raises important questions regarding gender inequality in the art world and the potential barriers and biases that female artists may face in achieving recognition and financial success.

The works of Pablo Picasso occupy 5 of the top 20 spots for the most expensive paintings ever sold.

This statistic indicates that out of the 20 most expensive paintings ever sold, 5 of them are created by the renowned artist Pablo Picasso. This demonstrates the significant value and demand for Picasso’s artwork in the art market. It also highlights Picasso’s influence and legacy as one of the most celebrated and sought-after artists around the world.

‘The Card Players’ by Paul Cézanne is one of the most expensive paintings ever sold privately at $250 million.

The given statistic states that the painting titled ‘The Card Players’ by Paul Cézanne is considered one of the most expensive paintings ever sold privately, fetching a staggering price of $250 million. This indicates that the painting holds significant value and demand in the art market. The price paid for this artwork signifies its exceptional quality, rarity, historical significance, and the artist’s reputation. Art collectors and investors place a high premium on acquiring such renowned pieces, highlighting the enduring appeal of Cézanne’s masterpiece and the enduring value of artwork in general.

The most expensive painting by a living artist ever sold at an auction is Jeff Koons’s “Rabbit” at $91.1 million.

The statistic states that Jeff Koons’s artwork titled “Rabbit” holds the record for being the most expensive painting ever sold at an auction by a living artist. The artwork fetched a staggering price of $91.1 million. This implies that no other painting by a living artist has been able to achieve a higher price at an auction, making “Rabbit” a remarkable piece in terms of its market value and the demand it generated among art collectors.

Impression art consistently fetches higher prices at auctions, with 9 of the 20 most expensive paintings being from the genre.

The statistic indicates that there is a trend of impressionist art commanding higher prices at auctions compared to other genres. Among the top 20 most expensive paintings, 9 of them belong to the impressionist genre. This suggests that there is a strong demand and willingness among buyers to pay premium prices for impressionist artworks, which could be influenced by factors such as the artistic style, historical significance, or the popularity of impressionist artists. Overall, this statistic highlights the financial value and appeal of impressionist art in the auction market.

The ‘Scream’, done by Edvard Munch, broke the record for the most expensive painting ever auctioned in 2012 at $119.9 million.

The quoted statistic refers to the painting titled ‘The Scream’, which was created by the artist Edvard Munch. In 2012, this particular artwork achieved a significant milestone by setting a new record as the most expensive painting ever auctioned. The painting fetched a staggering amount of $119.9 million during the auction, highlighting the high demand and immense value attributed to this iconic piece of art.

The most expensive still life painting ever sold at auction was ‘Nature morte aux tulipes’ by Pablo Picasso at $41.5 million.

The statistic “The most expensive still life painting ever sold at auction was ‘Nature morte aux tulipes’ by Pablo Picasso at $41.5 million” signifies that out of all the still life paintings that have been sold through auction, the painting titled ‘Nature morte aux tulipes’ created by famous artist Pablo Picasso fetched the highest price, amounting to a remarkable sum of $41.5 million. This statistic highlights the significant value and demand for Picasso’s artwork, as well as the enduring appeal and appreciation for still life paintings in the art market.

Almost half (9 out of 20) of the most expensive paintings ever sold were sold after the year 2010.

The statistic reveals that approximately 45% of the most expensive paintings ever sold, which amounts to 9 out of 20 paintings, were sold after the year 2010. This suggests a significant trend toward increased prices for artworks in recent years. It implies that the market for high-priced paintings has remained robust, and collectors and investors continue to place substantial value on these pieces. The information underscores the ongoing significance of the art market and highlights the strong demand for prestigious and historically significant artworks.

Nearly 90% of the 50 most expensive paintings are held by museums and other public institutions, and can’t be sold.

The statistic indicates that out of the 50 most expensive paintings, approximately 90% of them are currently possessed by museums and other public institutions, and are not available for sale. This suggests that these valuable artworks are primarily held in public collections, where they serve as cultural and historical assets rather than commodities to be traded in the art market. This statistic highlights the rarity and importance of such paintings, as well as the significant role played by public institutions in preserving and showcasing these valuable pieces of art for the benefit of the public.

The most expensive American painting ever sold is ‘Interchange’ by Willem de Kooning, sold for $300 million.

The statistic states that the painting ‘Interchange’ by Willem de Kooning holds the record for being the most expensive American painting ever sold, fetching a price of $300 million. This means that out of all the paintings created by American artists and sold in history, ‘Interchange’ has commanded the highest price in a single transaction. This significant valuation highlights the exceptional value and demand for de Kooning’s artistic masterpiece, making it a noteworthy milestone in the art market.

4 out of the 20 most expensive paintings were sold at Christie’s Auction House.

The given statistic indicates that out of the 20 most expensive paintings ever sold, 4 of them were purchased at Christie’s Auction House. This implies that Christie’s has been a significant player in the art market, attracting high-value artworks and successfully facilitating their sale. It suggests that Christie’s Auction House has been able to attract both sellers and buyers of valuable paintings, positioning itself as a reputable and influential player in the art industry.

The most expensive painting from the renaissance period to ever be sold is ‘Salvator Mundi’ by Leonardo da Vinci.

This statistic refers to the fact that the painting titled ‘Salvator Mundi,’ created by renowned artist Leonardo da Vinci during the Renaissance period, holds the record for being the most expensive painting ever sold. The term “Renaissance” refers to a historical period in Europe between the 14th and 17th centuries, characterized by a renewed interest in art, science, and humanism. ‘Salvator Mundi’ was sold for an exceptionally high price, surpassing any other artwork from the Renaissance, indicating its exceptional artistic value and the demand for da Vinci’s masterpieces in the art market.

A record for the most expensive painting by a British artist was set by David Hockney’s “Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)” at $90.3 million.

The statistic represents the highest amount ever paid for a painting created by a British artist, with David Hockney’s artwork titled “Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)” fetching a staggering $90.3 million. This particular painting holds the record for the most expensive artwork by a British artist ever sold at an auction. The high price tag reflects the exceptional artistic and cultural value associated with Hockney’s piece, as well as the demand and competition among collectors to acquire significant works of art.

The most expensive painting by Vincent Van Gogh ever sold was ‘Portrait of Dr. Gachet’ at $82.5 million in 1990.

The statistic “The most expensive painting by Vincent Van Gogh ever sold was ‘Portrait of Dr. Gachet’ at $82.5 million in 1990” indicates that the painting titled ‘Portrait of Dr. Gachet’ fetched the highest price ever recorded for a painting by Van Gogh. This particular artwork was sold for an astounding $82.5 million in the year 1990. This statistic highlights the significant value and appeal that Van Gogh’s iconic works hold in the art market, solidifying his status as a renowned and highly sought-after artist.

The record for the most expensive Impressionist painting was set by Claude Monet’s “Meules” which sold for $110.7 million.

The statistic states that the highest price ever paid for an Impressionist painting was $110.7 million, which was achieved by the sale of Claude Monet’s artwork titled “Meules.” This record-breaking amount reflects the value placed on this particular painting and highlights the significant demand and appreciation for Impressionist art. The substantial price signifies the recognition of Monet’s talent and the enduring appeal of his unique style, making “Meules” one of the most highly sought-after and valuable pieces in the history of Impressionist art.

Among the top 20 most expensive paintings, Qatari royal family holds 3 paintings.

This statistic states that out of the top 20 most expensive paintings, three of them are owned by the Qatari royal family. This suggests that the Qatari royal family has a significant interest in and investment in the art world, as they possess a notable portion of the world’s most highly valued artworks. This statistic highlights the influence and wealth of the Qatari royal family within the art market and their commitment to collecting prestigious and valuable pieces.

The most ever paid for a painting from the 19th century was for Gustav Klimt’s ‘Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I’ at $135 million.

The statistic states that the highest amount ever paid for a painting from the 19th century was $135 million, which was the price of Gustav Klimt’s ‘Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I’. This indicates that this particular artwork holds significant value and is highly sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts. This remarkable price highlights the exceptional quality, historical significance, and artistic value of the painting, making it one of the most expensive artworks ever sold.

Only two of the 10 most expensive paintings have been sold to a private collector; the rest have gone to galleries or museums.

The statistic states that out of the ten most expensive paintings, only two of them have been purchased by private collectors, while the remaining eight have been acquired by galleries or museums. This suggests that the majority of these highest-priced artworks are being sought after by institutions rather than individual collectors. This information can provide insights into the preferences and purchasing trends within the art market, as well as the significance and value placed on these particular paintings by the art world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the world of art holds many highly valuable and sought-after paintings that command staggering prices. From the exquisite craftsmanship of classical paintings to the avant-garde masterpieces of contemporary artists, the market for expensive artwork continues to thrive. Through this statistical analysis, we have discovered that certain artists and genres consistently dominate the list of most expensive paintings. Additionally, we found that auction houses play a crucial role in determining the final price of these artworks. It is clear that the value of a painting is not solely based on its aesthetic qualities, but also on the demand and perceived worth within the art market. As art continues to grow and evolve, we can expect to see new records being set and prices skyrocketing for future masterpieces.

References

0. – https://www.www.businessinsider.com

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2. – https://www.www.cnn.com

3. – https://www.www.bbc.com

4. – https://www.www.newsweek.com

5. – https://www.web.archive.org

6. – https://www.www.smithsonianmag.com

7. – https://www.www.mirror.co.uk

8. – https://www.qz.com

9. – https://www.www.nytimes.com

10. – https://www.sites.tufts.edu

11. – https://www.www.npr.org

12. – https://www.www.theartstory.org

13. – https://www.www.cnbc.com

14. – https://www.time.com

15. – https://www.www.livescience.com

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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