Art auctions have always been a source of fascination for art enthusiasts and collectors worldwide. With the sale of multi-million dollar artworks making headlines, art auctions have become an essential aspect of the art world. The world’s most expensive art sales have taken place at these auctions, and the interest in them has only grown over the years. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the world’s most expensive art auctions and the artworks that have fetched astronomical prices.
The highest-grossing art auction of all time took place in 2015 when a collection of artwork belonging to Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Bergé, was sold at Christie’s in Paris. The collection included paintings, sculptures, and other decorative pieces that belonged to the couple. The highlight of the auction was the sale of the painting “Les Femmes d’Alger” by Pablo Picasso, which sold for a whopping $179 million.
Another notable art auction that made headlines was the sale of Leonardo da Vinci’s painting, “Salvator Mundi,” which took place in 2017 at Christie’s in New York. The painting, which depicts Jesus Christ, sold for an astonishing $450 million, making it the most expensive artwork ever sold at an auction.
In 2019, another significant art auction took place at Sotheby’s in New York, where a painting by Claude Monet, “Meules,” sold for $110 million, setting a new record for the artist. The painting is one of the series of 25 paintings that Monet created of haystacks during the 1890s.
Apart from these auctions, there have been several other significant art auctions, including the sale of Francis Bacon’s “Three Studies of Lucian Freud” in 2013, which sold for $142 million, and the sale of Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” in 2012, which sold for $119.9 million.
Art auctions have become a significant part of the art world, providing an opportunity for collectors to acquire rare and valuable artworks. They also provide an avenue for artists to showcase their work and gain recognition. While art auctions may seem like events reserved for the super-wealthy, there are auctions that cater to a wider range of collectors.
In conclusion, art auctions have become an essential aspect of the art world, providing an opportunity for collectors to acquire rare and valuable artworks. The world’s most expensive art sales have taken place at these auctions, with prices reaching astronomical figures. While these auctions may seem out of reach for the average collector, there are auctions that cater to a wider range of collectors, making art accessible to a broader audience.