The most expensive paintings in the world

It’s no secret that pictures are an incredibly valuable asset. But we decided to go further and find out which seven of them are the most expensive in the world.

Mona Lisa (1503)

“Mona Lisa”, a magnificent work created by the genius Leonardo da Vinci, ranks first in the list of the most expensive paintings in the world. It is estimated at 970 million dollars (86.5 billion rubles). The masterpiece has been kept in the Louvre Museum in Paris since 1804.

Savior of the World (1499)

The Salvator Mundi, attributed to the hand of Leonardo da Vinci, was damaged and in need of restoration. The painting was restored to its former luxury by the talented restorer Dianne Modestini. The artwork’s triumphant return culminated in a major sale at Christie’s New York in 2019. They made a staggering $450.3 million (40.1 billion rubles).

Change (1955)

The third most valuable painting in the world belongs to abstract expressionism. It belongs to the hand of New York artist Willem de Kooning. The film was released to unprecedented success in September 2015. As a result of a private transaction, the masterpiece changed hands for a staggering $300 million (26.7 billion rubles). It is currently on display at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Card Players (1892–1895)

The painting by Paul Cézanne, known as the “father of modern art”, was purchased by the Qatar Royal Family for $250 million ($22.3 billion) in 2011.

When will you get married? (1892)

The name of the painting has probably mobilized many people… Paul Gauguin’s painting became the pearl of post-impressionism in 1892. After being leased to the Basel Kunstmuseum for decades, it found a new home in February 2015 when Sheikh Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani purchased it for $210 million. This monumental process is considered one of the most important in the art world.

Issue 17A (1948)

Jackson Pollock’s masterpiece of abstract expressionism entered the Book of Records when it was sold for $200 million (17.8 billion rubles) in September 2015. The painting is on loan to the Art Institute of Chicago and fascinates art lovers with its explosive creativity.

Water Serpents II (1904 – 1907)

Gustav Klimt’s painting, the symbol of lust, went on a turbulent journey. Stolen by the Nazis during World War II, this work resurfaced in 2013 and became the center of a scandal.

The painting, sold for $183.8 million (16.4 billion rubles) to Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, became entangled in a web of deception and sparked a legal battle that would last until 2019.