The rating of the most expensive paintings in the world is based on the results of the auction. It is for this reason that famous paintings belonging to state museums were not included in this rating. Be sure to look at this article and you will gasp at the prosperity of our richest unit of society.
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20. Pablo Picasso - Woman with crossed arms (1901-1902)
Sold for $55 million in 2000.
19. Vincent van Gogh - Wheat field with cypresses (1916)
Sold for $57 million in 1993.
18. Kazimir Malevich - Suprematist composition (1916)
Sold for $60 million in 2008.
17. Paul Cezanne - Still life with jug and drapery (1893-1894)
Sold for $60.2 million in 1999.
16. Willem de Kooning - Police newspaper (1955)
Sold for $63.5 million in 2006.
15. Vincent van Gogh - Portrait of an artist without a beard (1889)
Sold for $71.5 million in 1998.
14. Andy Warhol - Green Car Crash (1963)
Sold for $71.7 million in 2007.
13. Mark Rothko - White Center (1950)
Sold for $72.8 million in 2007.
12. Peter Paul Rubens - Massacre of the Innocents (1609-1611)
Sold for $76.8 million in 2002.
11. Pierre Auguste Renoir - Ball at the Moulin de la Galette (1876)
Sold for $78.1 million in 1990.
10 Jasper Johns - False Start (1959)
Sold for $80 million in 2008.
9. Claude Monet - Water Lily Pond (1919)
Sold for $80.5 million in 2008.
8. Vincent van Gogh - Portrait of Dr. Gachet (1890)
Sold for $82.5 million in 1990.
7. Francis Bacon - Triptych (1976)
Sold for $86.3 million in 2008.
6. Gustav Klimt - Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer II (1912)
Sold for $87.9 million in 2006.
In the world or who is the most outstanding artist in the universe, you can ad infinitum. In such matters it is difficult to achieve an objective assessment. After all, each person understands painting and perceives its beauty in his own way. The masterpieces of famous artists remain deeply remembered and delight mankind for centuries. Some of them go under the hammer in private hands, and some are in world-famous museums. Beautiful autumn landscapes, stunning portraits and still lifes, as well as works in the style of historical and genre painting sink into the hearts of thousands of art lovers.
Masterpieces of the 15th century
As the most beautiful picture in the world, not only among the works of painting, but also among the famous Russian icons, the "Trinity" painted by Andrei Rublev in 1425-1427 can be called. Today its location is the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. created by the master, has the form of a vertical format board. Under the tsars Ivan the Terrible, Boris Godunov and Mikhail Fedorovich, the picture was overlaid precious stones, gold and silver.
In the picture, in a perfect artistic form, without violating theological ideas, three angels are depicted, symbolizing harmony and unity. Their splendor, compositional arrangement and the beauty of the garments create the overall beauty of the icon.
The painting “The Birth of Venus”, painted by Sandro Botticelli in 1486, can rightfully be considered a Renaissance masterpiece. It depicts in all its glory the myth of the birth of Aphrodite, floating in an open shell, driven by a light breeze. The west wind Zephyr, together with his wife Chlorida, blows on the shell, forming streams of air filled with flowers. On the shore, one of the graces awaits the naked goddess of love.
Famous paintings of the XVI century
Michelangelo's "Creation of Adam" fresco, created in 1511, can also fit the concept of "the most beautiful painting in the world."
The creation is dedicated to stories from the Book of Genesis and has become a symbol of Western European art. The painting depicts a well-built Adam, who is motionless at the moment of the approach of God, soaring in heaven and surrounded by angels. The Almighty approaches his creation to breathe life into it. Today this work is kept in the Vatican in the Sistine Chapel.
In Dresden, in the Old Masters Gallery, there is a painting “The Sistine Madonna”, painted in 1512 by Raphael Santi. Initially, it seems that there are clouds in its background, but, looking closely, you can see the heads of angels. The viewer has the impression that the Madonna descends to him from heaven, looking directly into his eyes. The two little angels at the bottom of the picture are very often depicted in our time on various posters and postcards.
Works by Leonardo da Vinci
Paintings by famous artists Vincent van Gogh, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Paul Cezanne, Peter Paul Rubens and Leonardo da Vinci can be considered extraordinary in beauty, as well as one of the most expensive. The works of the latter make not only connoisseurs of art, but also simple contemplators find charms in everything.
One of the extraordinary paintings of Da Vinci is considered " The Last Supper”, which he created for about three years. In this fresco, the figures of Christ and Judas are of particular importance. An interesting fact is that the same person turned out to be the sitter for these images. First, from a young chanter, the master painted Christ, and a few years later, a man aged from drunkenness served as a model for the image of Judas.
Millions of people admire the Mona Lisa masterpiece every day, it is stored in Paris at the Louvre. The mysterious smile of Mrs. Gioconda, with which the portrait was painted in 1503, continues to fascinate the viewer today.
Paintings by Caravaggio
One cannot ignore the work of the Italian artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. The master's paintings show the joys of life and the enjoyment of the fruits given to man by nature. This is the "Young Man with a Basket of Fruit", and "Young Man with a Lizard", and "Lute Player", and "Mary Magdalene".
The artist also painted scenes of violence and cruelty. In 1595-1956, he created paintings that depict real barbarism. These are such works as Judith and Holofernes.
The title "The most beautiful picture in the world" deserves a painting called "The Transfiguration of St. Paul", written on hastily. The artist did not use drafts and immediately transferred all his inspiration to the canvas. The creator of world masterpieces managed to create special, unnatural lighting in the paintings, which helped to give drama to the painting.
Beautiful autumn scenery
The natural phenomena reflected by the artists in their works give the viewer a special feeling of admiration. Flowering meadows, snow-white winter fields, majestic mountains, multi-colored rainbow, sea sunsets allow you to enjoy the natural beauty. The canvases of the Japanese artist, known as Pan Mossi, fascinate with an autumn riot of colors.
Landscapes of leaf fall and yellow trees were also painted by the Australian self-taught artist Graham Gerken. "Russia is a state of landscapes" - many Russian artists thought so. Types of autumn nature were depicted on canvases by such painters as Ivan Shishkin and Ivan Aivazovsky, Isaac Levitan and many of their works could claim the title of "The most beautiful painting in the world."
Loved art or vice versa do not understand why people spend a lot of money to buy paintings and drawings? SME has compiled for you a list of the most expensive paintings in the world with prices and photos, so that you can appreciate the quality of execution and the meaning of the masterpieces.
This picture is a blue rectangle, located on top of the red beam. This work was written in the interval between "Black Square" and "White Suprematism".
No. 25. Kazimir Malevich, "Suprematist composition" (1916)
On November 3, 2008, at a Sotheby's auction in New York, the painting was sold to an unknown buyer for $60,002,500, thus becoming one of the most expensive paintings ever painted by a Russian artist.
It is believed that it is this vividly painted still life that is the ancestor of such a trend as cubism.
No. 24. Paul Cezanne, "Still life with jug and drapery" (1893-1894)
And this painting found its buyer in 1998 and was sold for $60,503,000.
Andy Warhol can safely be called an icon contemporary art, because his paintings are sold more expensive than famous classics, for example, Picasso or Van Gogh.
No. 23 Andy Warhol, The Men in Her Life (1962)
A black-and-white collage of photographs of Elizabeth Taylor, her third husband Mike Todd and future husband Eddie Fisher, purchased at a Phillips de Pury & Co New York auction in 2010 for $63,400,000.
The first artist in the world to be awarded the "Imperial Prize" for "the achievement, the international impact that he has made with his art, the spiritual enrichment of the entire world community."
No. 22. Willem de Kooning, "Police Gazette" (1955)
22nd place of the most expensive paintings in the world is occupied by an abstract canvas that flew away from Christie's auction like a hot pie for 63,500,000 dollars!
A well-known American artist, whose works are always written in such detail that it is almost impossible to distinguish them from a photograph.
No. 21. Thomas Eakins, Gross Clinic (1875)
The painting depicts famed Philadelphia surgeon Samuel Gross supervising an operation to remove part of a bone from a patient's thigh in front of a student-filled amphitheater at a medical academy whose realism caused a scandal and notable PR for the canvas. The picture was taken $68,000,000 in 2007!
No. 20. Amedeo Modigliani, "Seated nude on a sofa" (1917)
Although Sotheby's did not officially announce the sale of this painting before the start of the auction, as many as 5 buyers fought for it. The new owner got it for just 68,900,000 dollars!
Part of a series of 7 paintings on mythological themes commissioned by Philip II of Spain.
No. 19. Titian, "Diana and Actaeon" (1556-1559)
At that time, such paintings were considered depraved and they were specially hung with curtains in the presence of ladies. Erotica of the 16th century in 2009 was bought for $70,600,000.
No. 18. Vincent van Gogh, "Portrait of an Artist Without a Beard" (1889)
We continue the list of the most expensive paintings in the world, where the master of painterly strokes, Van Gogh, took pride of place, for $71,501,000 received in 1998.
The photograph is part of a series depicting tragic car accidents. Specifically, this is a burning car in Seattle.
No. 17. Andy Warhol, Green Car Crash (1963)
Real car accident, immortalized in the picture, went under the hammer for $71,720,000.
One of the main ideologues in American abstract expressionism, Rothko could not stand when his work was called abstract.
No. 16. Mark Rothko, "White Center" (1950)
Amazing bright and juicy combination color schemes, ease of exposure and life principles bring the author $72,800,000 and also included it in the ranking of the most expensive paintings in the world.
As many as 4 buyers fought for one of the most cruel plots of the New Testament.
No. 15. Peter Paul Rubens, Massacre of the Innocents (1609-1611)
At Sotheby's in London in July 2002, the painting was purchased by Canadian businessman and collector Kenneth Thompson, son of newspaper tycoon Lord Thomson, former owner of the London Times, for $76,700,000.
As the writer Octave Mirbo said: "This is the only artist who has not written a single sad picture in his life."
No. 14. Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Ball at the Moulin de la Galette (1876)
The honorary 12th place of the most expensive paintings in the world is occupied by this one, the owner of the masterpiece was Ryoei Saito, chairman of Daishowa Paper Manufacturing Co. $78,100,000.. He wanted the work to be cremated with him after his death, but due to financial difficulties, it had to be used as collateral.
There are five variants of Marilyn in different colors, but for some reason "Turquoise Marilyn" became the most expensive.
No. 13. Andy Warhol, "Turquoise Marilyn" (1964)
Price in $80,000,000 not accidental, because it is this work that is considered to be an icon of pop art, and Andy Warhol is the founder of pop art.
American artist working in the genres of abstract expressionism and pop art.
No. 12 Jasper Johns, "False Start" (1959)
The painting was owned by David Geffen, who sold it to Citadel investment group CEO Kenneth S. Griffin for $80,000,000. It is recognized as the most expensive painting that was sold during the life of the artist.
The painting was painted by the master of impressionism in 1919, shortly before he developed cataracts.
No. 11. Claude Monet, "Pond with water lilies" (1919)
One of 60 similar canvases called "Waters" at Sotheby's auction was sold for $80,500,000.
It was this person who monitored the artist's health before his death.
No. 10. Vincent van Gogh, "Portrait of Dr. Gachet" (1890)
The same Japanese businessman Ryoei Saito, who wanted to cremate himself with paintings, bought this work for $82,500,000. When asked why burn masterpieces with him, he explained that this is the only way he can express his selfless affection for the picture.
Francis Bacon is perhaps one of the darkest artists of the 20th century.
No. 8. Pablo Picasso, "Portrait of Dora Maar" (1941)
In 2006, a mysterious Russian anonym for $96,200,000., buying at the same time the works of Monet and Chagall with a total value of 100 million dollars.
Reading time: 13 min.
Painting is the oldest form of art. With the help of paint, brushes, palettes and other tools, a person tries to convey his imagination and vision of the world. The history of painting is long and multifaceted. This type creativity gave the world such talented painters as: Da Vinci, Titian, Picasso, Van Gogh and many others. These geniuses were able to create real masterpieces that contemporaries admired, descendants admired, museums vied for the right to exhibit them, and collectors paid millions of dollars for the right to possess them.
Works by great masters, periodically appearing at auctions, continue to amaze with record prices and demand for them. The cost of the greatest paintings reaches new sky-high heights with each change of ownership.
Willem de Kooning "Woman III"
Year of writing: 1953
Year and place of sale: 2006, private sale
Sale price: $137.5 million
Price now: $162.4 million
The painting is a vivid example of expressionist painting, where a woman is depicted in an abstract form on the canvas. This painting is part of a series of works of art by Willem de Kooning, in which the artist tries to reveal the theme of the female body. On all canvases, the painter depicts women in graffiti style: they have giant eyes, toothy smiles and creepy hands. The technique of applying paint to the canvas: broad strokes and strokes of the brush on the canvas. Some critics explain this manner of writing by difficult experiences and conflict relations with the female sex, which found a way out on the artist's canvases.
In November 2006, the owner of the painting, David Gaffen, sold it to billionaire Stephen Cohen for $137.5 million.
Jackson Pollock "Number 5"
Year of writing: 1948
Year and place of sale: 2006, Sotheby's
Sale price: $140 million
Price now: $165.4 million
Million deals at auctions are no longer a novelty for Jackson Pollock's paintings. So "Number 5", sold in November 2006 for $ 140 million, became the most expensive artwork art bought at auction by an unknown buyer. The uniqueness of the painting lies in a special drip technique, in which the randomness of the patterns is created by spraying paint layer by layer with spontaneous movements and gestures. Often the entire body of the artist is involved. Such works are called "action painting". Visually, the image is similar to a bird's nest and consists of a close interweaving of yellow, brown and gray splashes of different shades. The painting is also an example of Pollock's attitude towards fine art: all areas of the canvas are treated equally, conventional points of reference, focus, and planes are rejected.
Amedeo Modigliani "Reclining Nude"
Year of writing: 1917-1918
Sale price: $170.4 million
Price now: $170.4 million
“Reclining Nude” is a canvas from a series of nude women, which was painted by Modigliani under the patronage of the Polish dealer Leopold Zborowski in 1917. This painting was a participant in the artist's first and only lifetime art show, held at the Bertha Weil Gallery in 1917. Reclining on a crimson sofa with a blue pillow, a nude model caused censure from public opinion and the exhibition, which caused a scandalous outcry, was closed by the police. Decades later, in November 2015 at a Christie's auction, Modigliani's series of paintings was heralded as a renaissance of the nude in modernism. The Guardian art critic Jonathan Jones compared Modigliani and his models with the traditions of Titian and his Venus Urbino. And he noted that the artist was engaged in praising the sexuality of the body and proclaimed desire as his religion long before Matisse and Picasso. At the same time, "Reclining Nude" was sold at auction for $170.4 million.
Pablo Picasso "Algerian women (version O)"
Year of writing: 1955
Year and place of sale: 2015, Christie's
Sale price: $179.365 million
Price now: $179.365 million
The painting that set a world record at Christie's in 2015 as the most expensive lot visual arts. "Algerian Women" became the culmination of a series of works by the artist. Inspired by the work of the great 19th-century Spanish artist Eugène Delacroix, Picasso created a series of paintings highlighting the plight of Algerian women. Also, the works were conceived by the artist as a tribute and elegy to the friend and rival of the genius, Henri Matisse, who died in 1954. "Women of Algeria" is a vivid demonstration of Picasso's tendency to unite vintage style and a unique fresh look at the presentation of the image. In this picture, merged: kitsch, postmodern and classic. It is this feature that gives the canvas its exclusivity and causes an increased demand for the painting.
Rembrandt van Rijn "Portraits of Marten Solmans and Opjen Coppit"
Year of writing: 1634
Sale price: $180 million
Price now: $180 million
Rembrandt received an order for paintings in connection with the wedding of Marten Solmans with Olivia Coppit. Initially, the history of these portraits showed one interesting trend - painted separately, they were always kept together. While many paired portraits of the 17th century were divided among themselves, these paintings always hung side by side, even moving from collection to collection. They are also distinctive for the work of the master: the size of the canvas unusual for the artist and the image of the figure in the portrait in full growth. The descendants of the couple depicted on the canvases kept the paintings for many years, until it was sold in 1877 to the French banker Gustave Samuel de Rothschild. His descendant, having received a license to sell Rembrandt's masterpieces, sold the paintings to two museums at once. So "Portraits of Marten Solmans and Opjen Koppit" are the joint property of the Amsterdam State Museum and the Louvre in Paris for $180 million.
Mark Rothko "No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red)"
Year of writing: 1951
Year and place of sale: 2014, private sale
Sale price: $186 million
Price now: $186 million
"Purple, Green, Red" is a painting by an American artist with Russian roots - Mark Rothko. Since Rothko is a pioneer of abstract expressionism, his style is characterized by: the absence of certain images, the use of large canvases, horizontal stripes of bright colors. Like most depressed artists in the post-war period, Rothko uses a darker palette for the top of the canvas. In our rating of the most expensive paintings, "Purple, Green, Red" was due to the purchase of the painting by Russian businessman Dmitry Rybolovlev in 2014 for a considerable amount of money - $ 186 million. True, a little later, the same Rybolovlev sued the seller of the painting, the Swiss art dealer Yves Bouvier, accusing him of overestimating the cost of the canvas. But until the court makes a decision, "Purple, Green, Red" will remain in the top of the most expensive paintings.
Jackson Pollock "Number 17A"
Year of writing: 1948
Year and place of sale: 2015, private sale
Sale price: $200 million
Price now: $200 million
Jackson Pollock is a prominent representative of American abstract expressionism. For the abandonment of the easel and the unique technique, Pollock even received a nickname at one time - Jack the sprinkler. The artist placed the canvases on the ground and walked around, spraying paint with brushes and syringes, thus creating a new, absolutely unique style in painting - action painting. Pollock's secret is also contained in a paint with a special viscosity that does not smudge when applied. The painting "Number 17A" was bought by American billionaire Kenneth Griffith for $200 million in 2015. The painting is currently on display at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Paul Cezanne "The Card Players"
Year of writing: 1895
Year and place of sale: 2011, private sale
Sale price: $259 million
Price now: $274 million
Until 2015, Paul Cezanne's The Card Players topped the list of the world's most expensive paintings, as it was sold by Greek shipping magnate George Embrikos to Qatar's royal family in 2011 for a whopping $259 million. This canvas is a classic image of art, so characteristic of textbooks, gift photo albums and magazines with luxury goods. "Card Players" is one of the five works by Cezanne belonging to the Impressionist series of the 90s of the XIX century. In the picture we see two men sitting at a wooden table and enthusiastically playing cards. by the way interesting fact is that the models of the players are the worker and gardener of Cezanne's family estate.
Paul Gauguin "When will you marry?"
Year of writing: 1892
Year and place of sale: 2015, private sale
Sale price: $300 million
Price now: $300 million
The previous record is shattered by Paul Gauguin's When Will You Get Married?, sold in 2015 by private Swiss collector Rudolf Stechelin to museums in Qatar. Another translation of the title of the picture is “When is the wedding?”. The work is a real gem of postmodernism. The painting depicts Tahitian girls in traditional and missionary dress, surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of Tahiti. It was in Tahiti that Gauguin fled at one time, trying to hide from the routine and artificiality of Europe, and it was here that his bright original talent was able to reveal itself in full force. The painting did not bring fame to the artist during his lifetime, and many critics spoke of it completely unflattering. Only many years later, the already bygone culture imprinted on the canvas made the picture one of the most famous masterpieces of the Tahitian period of Gauguin.
Willem de Kooning "The Exchange"
Year of writing: 1955
Year and place of sale: 2016, private sale
Sale price: $300 million
Price now: $300 million
Another picture, which became the most according to the results of the auction last year and topped our rating. The Exchange is a great example of New York abstract expressionism. In the picture, Willem Kuning tries to convey all the ugliness of the face modern world trying to get back on its feet after the troubles and destruction of the Second World War. The first time the picture left the auction in 1989. Then it was sold for 20.68 million dollars, despite a preliminary estimate of 4-6 million. The record was set in two "categories" at once: the highest amount paid for a contemporary painting and the record price for the sale of a work by a still living artist. After 28 years, "Deception" fell into the category of the most expensive paintings in the world and took first place there. The painting was acquired by the notorious Ken Griffin, who also bought Pollock's Number 17A for $200 million and paid $300 million for it.
There are enough people on the planet who do things that are not entirely clear to the rest. For example, they give tens of millions of dollars to decorate their apartment, house or office with paintings.
Some canvases cost fabulous money, but they look like the work of a child. We offer the 10 most expensive paintings in the world. They may please or cause bewilderment, but it turns out that there are people on the planet who are ready to pay a fortune for them.
It is worth noting that the list of the most expensive paintings in the world does not include popular paintings that are exhibited in famous museums. Here only art sold at art auctions and privately. Therefore, the rating does not meet a single painting by Leonardo da Vinci (and there is no doubt that if at least one is put up for sale, it will collect many more than those listed here).
Adele Bloch-Bauer. Gustav Klimt
So, the top of the most expensive paintings in the world opens with a canvas called "Second Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer." The author of the expensive stuff is Gustav Klimt. This picture went under the hammer for almost a record 89.1 million dollars.If you go a little deeper into history, the Austrian Gustav Klimt painted a portrait of Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer's wife Adele Bloch-Bauer II back in 1912. The man was the richest industrialist of that time and sponsored the most different types art, including funding the artist. By the way, Adele was the only model that the Austrian drew twice. The woman can also be seen in the First Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer.
Self-portrait with cut off ear and pipe. Vincent Van Gogh
The top of the most expensive paintings in the world continues with the famous self-portrait of the notorious Vincent van Gogh. At auction, they paid $90.1 million for it. By the way, the great Dutchman was very fond of painting his own portraits. And each such canvas, along with "Sunflowers", is highly valued. In addition, these works are the most famous paintings of Van Gogh. 
In total, the Dane wrote about 12 self-portraits in his life. And all the work fell on the period from 1886 to 1889.
Dora Maar with a kitten. Pablo Picasso
Included in the list of 100 most expensive paintings in the world and a canvas called "Dora Maar with a kitten." It came from the brush of the famous Pablo Picasso. And the price of an interesting work reached 97 million dollars. The author painted this picture in 1941. 
He depicted his Croatian mistress named Dora Maar sitting on the table. The pet nestled on the owner's shoulder. Many argue that Picasso's kittens come out especially well.
Irises. Vincent Van Gogh
The seventh place in the ranking of the most expensive paintings in the world is again occupied by a painting by Vincent van Gogh. But this time it's not a self-portrait at all. The buyer for the canvas "Irises" had to pay almost 100 million dollars, namely, 97.5 million. 
It is worth noting that this picture is one of the first works of the artist, which he painted during his stay in the Paul de Musol hospital. The medical facility is located in the French province of San Remo. Van Gogh visited her a year before his death in 1890.
Boy with a pipe. Pablo Picasso
The sixth place in the rating "The most expensive paintings of the world" was again taken by Pablo Picasso. And this "golden" work called "Boy with a pipe" cost the new owner 104.1 million dollars. This price was bought at the Sotheby's auction on May 5, 2004 in New York with a starting price of $ 70 million. 
The painting left the personal collection of John Hay. By the way, some art historians believe that such a fabulous price of the canvas was justified solely by the authorship of the painting, and not by its actual historical value.
Ball in Montmartre. Pierre-August Renoir
In the very center of the list of the most expensive paintings is the painting “Ball in Montmartre”. This is the work of the artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. At the time of the sale, this painting, along with Van Gogh's "Portrait of Dr. Gachet", became the most expensive painting ever sold and bought. And both paintings were the property of a Japanese industrialist named Saito. In addition, a rather funny story is connected with this man. The thing is that Mr. Saito after his death (it happened in 1991) bequeathed to cremate both paintings with him. And this fact caused a wave of indignation throughout the planet. 
So Saito's associates decided to do things differently, as they were on the verge of bankruptcy. They sold Renoir's work at Sotheby's. She went into unknown hands (the buyer wanted to remain anonymous) for 122.8 million dollars. Absolutely nothing is known about the new owner, but it is assumed that the famous work went to Switzerland.
Portrait of Dr. Gachet. Vincent Van Gogh
The next line in the rating of expensive works of art is again the work of Vincent van Gogh and his already mentioned painting “Portrait of Dr. Gachet”. It turns out that there are two versions of this canvas in the world. And both were written in 1890, just in the last months of the famous artist's life. 
On both canvases, the doctor is depicted sitting at a table. He laid his head on right hand. However, the difference between the versions can be seen with the naked eye. One of the paintings went into private hands for $129.7 million.
The first portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer. Gustav Klimt
The third position in the ranking of the most expensive paintings in the world is the portrait, which we have already mentioned at the top of the list. This is "The First Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer". The work of Gustav Klimt. The first attempt to paint a portrait of the wife of a wealthy industrialist was more successful. 
In 2006, it was sold for $130 million to Ronald Lauder, owner of the New York-based Neue Galerie. At that time, this work was the most expensive of the sold. By the way, the portrait itself was painted at the beginning of the last century, in 1907.
Woman 3. Willem de Kooning
Slightly incomprehensible in execution, the work "Woman 3" belongs to the brush of an abstract expressionist named Willem de Kooning. It ranks second on the list of "Most Expensive Paintings in the World". However, if you look at the author and his other works, then we can say with confidence that “Woman 3” is the pinnacle of the artist’s skill. 
By the way, the picture is one of six works where the woman became the central theme. The canvas was painted in 1953, and in 2006 it passed into the hands of billionaire Stephen Cohen for an almost record-breaking $137.5 million.
"No. 5, 1948", Jackson Pollock's masterpiece
The work of the American artist Jackson Pollock "No. 5, 1948". the author, who made a significant contribution to the development of abstract expressionism, is written on a fiberboard sheet and has dimensions of 2.5 by 1.2 meters. The author applied a small amount of yellow and brown splashes from above, and this made the picture look like a large nest. The masterpiece went for a record 142.7 million dollars and for a long time remained the most expensive painting in the world. 
The most expensive painting in the world
In the fall of 2017, Pollock's canvas record was broken by Leonardo da Vinci's The Savior of the World (~1500). Until the middle of the 20th century, the masterpiece was considered lost. It was discovered in 1958, but experts did not recognize it as the work of a master, suggesting that the painting was painted by one of da Vinci's followers. As a result, the picture went under the hammer for a ridiculous 45 pounds. 
The true origin of the painting was established in 2011, and two years later it was acquired by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev. The cost rose to $127.5 million. In 2017, he auctioned it off at Christie's for $100 million. In twenty-minute trading, the rate rose to $450 million.
You can also find out which paintings are recognized as the most famous in the world and the name of which artist is heard by most of the inhabitants of our planet.
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