Top 10 Expensive Paintings

January 22, 2010

Many artists have earned great adoration and their works are worth nearly millions of dollars and are exhibited in the most popular art galleries and exhibitions around the world. Some of these paintings have also been sold for exorbitant sums which indicated just how popular art has become. Given below are 10 of the top most expensive paintings that have been purchased.

1. No. 5, 1948

This piece of modern art is very popular with art lovers. This masterpiece by Jackson Pollock masterpiece is at the top of the list. The owner of the painting is said to be David Martinez. The artist is seen to be cashing in on the worldwide popularity of his art work collection.

2. Woman III

Woman III, by Willem De Kooning is another superb piece of art. In November 2006, this painting was purchased by David Geffen. It is a good example of the abstract style of painting. The artist died in 1997 from Alzheimer’s. His works are in great demand from collectors worldwide.

3. Adele Bloch-Bauer I

Bought by Ronald Lauder, a cosmetics magnate, he had the interest to have a collection of Jewish-owned art and place it in an art gallery in New York. This art work is very attractive and makes use of silver, gold and oil shades on canvas. It was undoubtedly the most expensive painting that was sold.

4. Garcon a la Pipe

This is another portrait by Picasso whose buyer’s identity remains a guarded secret. It is the most costly painting ever sold at auction. Picasso painted it when he was just 24 years old in 1905. There are contrasting feminine and masculine images which are the distinct features of this portrait. However many critics were of the view that it is an inferior work by the artist when compared to his other works.

5. Dora Maar au Chat

Being one of the top muses of Picasso, Dora Maar was the inspiration behind this work of art. Created in 1941, the painting is noted for its careful attention to detail and shows the deep respect the artist had for his lover. The painting went for private display in 2006 to a buyer who is unknown.

6. Adele Bloch-Bauer II

Klimt painted the model, Adele Bloch-Bauer more than once. This art work is considered to be the best example of the style of the Symbolist Movement. The painting was donated by Adele’s husband in the 1920’s to the Austrian State Gallery. It was later taken away by the Nazis during World War II. Presently the painting is not available for display for the public and its owner is also unknown.

7. Triptych 1976

This work of art shows the immense artistic talent of Francis Bacon. This is one among other works of art created by the artist after the demise of his lover. The painting is very much under the influence of Greek mythology. This painting would be displayed in 2010 in Russia at the CCC Gallery in Moscow.

8. Portrait of Dr. Gachet

This painting was bought by Saito, a Japanese Businessman in 1990 before the meltdown of Japan’s economy. The painting was placed by him in a vault that was climate controlled. After his death in 1996, the whereabouts of the painting remains a mystery.

9. False Start

Johns created this work of art in 1959 and it was sold anonymously. This art work is thought to have imparted a major influence on the pop art movement. This painting uses colors as words. The artist was involved in mainly technical aspects of art which was described by some as utilitarian.

10. Bal au moulin de la Galette, Montmartre

The aforesaid painting by Renoir was bought for $78.1 million in 1990. The artist was a great impressionist artist who is famous for his numerous paintings. The image includes many persons important in Renoir’s life and is about a scene in Montmartre. The dancing couple in the painting was actually the artist’s models with the names Margot, and Cardenas.