Top 10 Most Expensive Artworks Ever Sold at Auction in Christie’s New York
The auction house, Christie’s New York, has a long-standing reputation for selling some of the most famous and valuable works of art in history. Over the years, they have staged numerous art auctions that have set records for being the most costly. In this document, we will explore the top ten most expensive pieces of art ever sold at a Christie’s New York auction, providing information about the artist, the purchase price, and the year of sale.
1. “Salvator Mundi” by Leonardo da Vinci – Sold for $450.3 million in 2017.
This masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci depicts Christ as the Savior of the World. It holds the record for being the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction.
2. “Interchange” by Willem de Kooning – Sold for $300 million in 2015.
Willem de Kooning, a prominent abstract expressionist artist, created this vibrant and dynamic painting that captivates viewers with its bold brushwork and energetic composition.
3. “The Card Players” by Paul Cézanne – Sold for $250 million in 2011.
Paul Cézanne’s masterpiece showcases a group of card players engrossed in their game. It is a series of five oil paintings, with each one depicting different compositions and figures.
4. “Nafea Faa Ipoipo?” (When Will You Marry?) by Paul Gauguin – Sold for $210 million in 2015.
This vibrant and colorful painting by Paul Gauguin features two Tahitian women, capturing the essence of the artist’s time spent in French Polynesia.
5. “No. 6 (Violet, Green, and Red)” by Mark Rothko – Sold for $186 million in 2014.
Mark Rothko’s abstract expressionist painting is characterized by its large blocks of vibrant colors, creating a meditative and emotional experience for the viewer.
6. “Les Femmes d’Alger (Version ‘O’)” by Pablo Picasso – Sold for $179 million in 2015.
Picasso’s cubist masterpiece portrays a group of women inspired by Eugene Delacroix’s “Women of Algiers.” It is one of a series of 15 paintings created by Picasso.
7. “Nu Couché” by Amedeo Modigliani – Sold for $170.4 million in 2015.
Amedeo Modigliani’s sensuous and elongated depiction of a reclining nude figure is a testament to his unique style and artistic vision.
8. “Masterpiece” by Roy Lichtenstein – Sold for $165 million in 2017.
Roy Lichtenstein, a leading figure in the pop art movement, created this iconic work characterized by its bold comic book-style imagery.
9. “Three Studies of Lucian Freud” by Francis Bacon – Sold for $142.4 million in 2013.
Francis Bacon’s triptych portrait of his friend and fellow artist, Lucian Freud, is a powerful and haunting depiction that showcases Bacon’s distinctive style of figurative painting.
10. “Reclining Nude With Blue Cushion” by Amedeo Modigliani – Sold for $139 million in 2012.
Another masterpiece by Amedeo Modigliani, this painting features a reclining nude figure against a blue background, demonstrating the artist’s signature elongated forms and graceful lines.
These ten artworks represent some of the most extraordinary and valuable pieces ever sold at Christie’s New York auction. The prices they fetched demonstrate the immense value placed on these works of art and the enduring legacy of the artists who created them.
