Published By: Admin

April 15 - World Art Day: Here's A Look At The Most Expensive Paintings In The World

The occasion's main objective is to spread awareness about creative activities worldwide.

"The earth without art is just eh." - Demetri Martin.

It goes without saying that art is essential for living a quality life. Art adds value to our surroundings and makes the world a better place. Also, it motivates us to work together for community well-being.

Each year, on the fifteenth of April, World Art Day is observed to promote awareness of creative activities worldwide and help reinforce the connections between artistic creations and society.

Today, to commemorate the occasion, let's have a look at the three most expensive paintings in the world (excluding Mona Lisa as it's considered priceless).

Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece Salvator Mundi portrays Christ in an anachronistic blue Renaissance dress, holding a crystal orb in one hand, and making the sign of the cross with the other.

The painting was long thought to be a copy of a lost original by da Vinci. In 2016, after the painting was restored, it was proved to be original with its unique artistic attributes.

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It was sold at an auction (on November 15, 2017) held at Christie’s New York for US$450 million to Prince Badr bin Abdullah Al Saud. Thus, it set a record for the most expensive painting ever sold at a public auction.

Interchange by Willem de Kooning

Created by Willem de Kooning in 1995, the famous 'Interchange' is considered a classic example of abstract expressionist oil painting. The painting marked a shift in subject matter for de Kooning from women to abstract urban landscapes. It shows how de Kooning's painting techniques were inspired by artist Franz Kline.

'Interchange' depicts a fleshy pink mass at its center, representing a seated woman.

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In 2015, the painting was sold by the David Geffen Foundation to Kenneth C. Griffin for $300 million. Hence, it now comes second in the list of the world's most expensive paintings.

The Card Players by Paul Cézanne

Paul Cézanne's 'The Card Players' refers to a series of five oil paintings. One version in the series was sold to the Royal Family of Qatar in 2011 for a whopping price of $250 million ($301.1 million today). Thus, it now ranks third in the list of the world's most expensive paintings.

The series' each painting shows Provençal peasants immersed in their pipes and playing cards. The motif was adapted from the 17th-century Dutch and French genre paintings.