Most Expensive Artworks

Girl with Answers  a great piece of art is more than a decoration or a way to express themselves. It can hold an emotional, historical, and cultural significance for its owner and for the world. For that reason, it’s no wonder that these ten masterpieces command such high prices at auction.

The top spot on our list goes to Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi, which sold for a record-setting $450 million at Sotheby’s locations in 2018 and exemplifies the mix of artistry and religious significance that drives astronomical prices for artworks. Even though many scholars doubt the painting’s authenticity, its combination of a revered era and an element of mystery continues to drive price tags skyward.

The Most Expensive Artworks Ever Sold: A Journey Through Priceless Masterpieces

Another renowned painter to make our list is Gustav Klimt’s Wasserschlangen II, which sold for $184 million in 2013. The work has seen its fair share of controversy, as it is considered an early depiction of same-sex relationships and was once stolen by the Nazis. The piece was later purchased by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev to build up one of the world’s largest privately held collections of modern art.

For those with a more contemporary taste, the number two artwork on our list is a sculpture by Jean-Michel Basquiat. The untitled work was created in 1982 and showcases a skull painted with acrylics, oil sticks, and spray paint. It’s a testament to the iconic New York City artist’s inimitable style and remains an emblem of the 1980s New York art scene. Though this work is owned by a private collector, it’s often loaned out to museums to make it accessible to the public.