The price of a painting depends not only on its artistic value, but also on participation in exhibitions and sales at well-known auctions. Nowadays, the most prestigious are considered auctions of art objects "Sotheby's" and "Christie's." Works of art are offered both at open auction and at closed auction. Collectors also sell paintings privately.
The most expensive painting that went under the hammer at a closed auction is the “Card Players” painted by Paul Cezanne, created in 1892–93. The canvas was sold for $ 250 million in 2012. Now it is in the private collection of the sheikh of the state of Qatar. "Card Players" is a masterpiece of post-impressionism. The picture is painted in oil on canvas measuring 97x130 cm. This is the third work of Cezanne from his famous series of the same name. All other paintings are in national museums in different countries. According to some reports, this work of Paul Cezanne will also be transferred to the National Museum of the State of Qatar.
In second place for the price is an extraordinary painting by Jackson Pollock “No. 5”, written in 1948. It was bought by an unknown collector at the Sotheby's private auction in 2006. "No. 5" is made in the technique of oil painting. The size of the painting is 244x122 cm. It was created by the drip method, which was invented by Jackson Pollock. In this work of the artist, the technique he invented was brought to perfection, but still devoid of the ossification of the form characteristic of his later creations.
The most expensive painting that was sold at official auction was Edward Munch's “Scream”. It was written in 1895. This work of art can be called the emblem of expressionism. The picture was bought by collector Leon Black at the Sotheby's auction in 2012. Black paid $ 119.9 million for the painting.
It is known that the most expensive picture of official auctions is the 4th work from the Scream series. The artist’s works from this series repeat the same plot and are very similar in composition. Most of the works in the Scream series were made in oil, but this painting was done using the pastel technique.
The previous record for open auctions was Nude, Green Leaves and Bust, completed by Pablo Picasso in 1932. An unknown collector bought it in 2010 at the Christie's auction for $ 106.5 million. Technique - oil painting. Pictures from a series dedicated to his beloved Marie-Theres Walter occupy an important place in the work of a genius.
“Naked, green leaves and a bust” is an ambiguous surreal work from this series. The canvas was sold at auction after the death of Sidney Francis Brody, who had owned it for the previous fifty years.
It should be noted that often the purchase of Picasso paintings at public auctions turns into new records. In recent years, four times the works of this artist were recognized as the most expensive. The fabulous sums that collectors lay out for the right to possess paintings by famous artists are simply stunning, but there are laws on the art market.
The most expensive picture is a concept that, rather, refers more to the art business. The artistic value of works of art may not be equal to their auction value, but the popularity of paintings is directly dependent on their price at auction.