The Top 5 Most Valuable Paintings of All Time: An Authentic Number One with Every Detail, Yet Controversial.

Buzz

Content

Despite their age of centuries, each painting holds a value equivalent to a vast fortune.

1. Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci ($450.3 million)

2. Nafea Faa Ipoipo? (When Will You Marry?) by Paul Gauguin and Interchange by Willem Kooning ($300 million)

3. The Card Players by Paul Cézanne ($250 million)

4. N°17A by Jackson Pollock ($200 million)

5. N°6 (Violet, Green and Red) by Mark Rothko ($186 million)

Despite their age of centuries, each painting holds a value equivalent to a vast fortune.

1. Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci ($450.3 million)

The masterpiece 'Savior of the World' (Salvator Mundi) by the renowned artist Leonardo da Vinci was lost around the 18th century and depicts Jesus holding a glass orb. Upon discovery and authentication, the painting quickly skyrocketed in value to over $450 million, becoming da Vinci's only work owned by an anonymous private collector after an auction.

However, surprisingly, this world's most expensive painting has stirred controversy as many argue it is actually a forgery due to the peculiar glass orb detail, which seems optically incorrect. Although no one can definitively confirm whether the painting is authentic or not, many still believe it to be genuine despite all negative speculations.

Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci

2. Nafea Faa Ipoipo? (When Will You Marry?) by Paul Gauguin and Interchange by Willem Kooning ($300 million)

'Nafea Faa Ipoipo' by Paul Gauguin was painted in 1892 in Polynesia (France), while 'Interchange' by Willem Kooning. Both paintings are in the second position as they were sold to private collectors for $300 million each.

Many sources claim that the Qatari royal family owns the painting Nafea Faa Ipoipo, while the owner of Interchange is identified as billionaire Kenneth C. Griffin, who also owns many other valuable paintings.

Nafea Faa Ipoipo - Paul Gauguin

Interchange - Willem Kooning

3. The Card Players by Paul Cézanne ($250 million)

The Card Players: A group of oil paintings by French artist Paul Cézanne from the post-impressionist period. These works were created in the early 1890s, also the final years of the artist's life.

There are a total of 5 versions of 'The Card Players,' each differing in size and the number of players. Each painting in the series is held respectively at the Musée d'Orsay, Courtauld Gallery in London, the MET in New York, the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, and one owned by Greek businessman George Embiricos before being resold for $250 million to the Qatari royal family.

Paul Cézanne's Card Players

4. N°17A by Jackson Pollock ($200 million)

The pioneer of abstract expressionism, Jackson Pollock is famous for his drip painting technique, extensively used from 1947 to 1950.

Admicro AdX

Pollock used compressed fiberboard and synthetic resin to complete this painting. The combination of brown, gray, white, and yellow colors in the painting led many to think of it as a bird's nest. Alongside Willem Kooning's 'Interchange' mentioned above, this painting was also acquired by billionaire Ken Griffin in 2016 for $202 million.

5. N°6 (Violet, Green and Red) by Mark Rothko ($186 million)

Painted in 1951 by Mark Rothko, this painting is executed in oil with three shades of violet, green, and red arranged vertically, evoking a sense of vitality and spirituality for the viewer.

It is known that this triptych was purchased for $186 million by Russian businessman Dmitry Rybolovlev in 2014 through Swiss dealer Bouvier.

N°6 (Violet, Green and Red) by Mark Rothko

Source: Architectural Digest

https://example.com/most-expensive-paintings-ever-debated-authenticity-20220609131413081.chn

The content is developed by the Mytour team with the aim of customer care and solely to inspire travel experiences. We do not take responsibility for or provide advice for other purposes.

If you find this article inappropriate or containing errors, please contact us via email at [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the historical significance of Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci?

Salvator Mundi holds immense historical significance as it is believed to be the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci owned by a private collector. Its discovery and subsequent auction for $450.3 million not only marked it as the most expensive painting ever sold but also sparked debates regarding its authenticity and artistic merit, particularly due to the peculiar details in the glass orb.

How much did the painting Nafea Faa Ipoipo sell for and who owns it?

The painting Nafea Faa Ipoipo by Paul Gauguin sold for an astonishing $300 million. Reports suggest that this masterpiece is owned by the Qatari royal family, which further underscores its value and status in the art world as a symbol of wealth and cultural heritage.

What are the different versions of The Card Players by Paul Cézanne?

The Card Players is a series of five oil paintings by Paul Cézanne, created in the early 1890s. Each version varies in size and the number of players depicted, with individual pieces held in prestigious locations such as the Musée d'Orsay and the MET, highlighting Cézanne's influence on the post-impressionist movement.

What techniques did Jackson Pollock use in N°17A and its purchase details?

Jackson Pollock employed his signature drip painting technique to create N°17A, using compressed fiberboard and synthetic resin. This abstract expressionist work was acquired by billionaire Ken Griffin in 2016 for $202 million, showcasing Pollock's lasting impact on modern art.

What colors are prominent in Mark Rothko's N°6 (Violet, Green and Red)?

Mark Rothko's N°6 (Violet, Green and Red) prominently features three vertical shades of color: violet, green, and red. Painted in 1951, this artwork evokes a sense of vitality and spirituality, reflecting Rothko's exploration of color and emotion. It was purchased for $186 million by Dmitry Rybolovlev in 2014.