TOP 10 MOST EXPENSIVE PAINTINGS SOLD

Below is a list of the Top 10 most expensive paintings sold at either public auctions or private sales.

1. $250 million - Paul Cézanne
- The Card Players, 1892/93

A private sale bought by the Royal family of Qatar. This is the last version of this famous composition still in private hands. There are four other 'Card Players' in the series and are held in famous museums around the world.

2. $140 million - Jackson Pollock
- Number 5, 1948

Painted in Expressionist Jackson Pollock's trademark 'drip' style, its buyer is unconfirmed but is rumoured to have been purchased by mexican businessman, David Martinez or hedge fund billionaire, Steven A.Cohen.

3. $137.5 million - Willem de Kooning
- Woman III, 1952/53

This painting is the only 'woman' painting in private hands and was bought by the hedge fund billionaire, Steven A.Cohen, who bought it direct from the entertainment magnate and megacollector, David Geffen.

4. $135 million - Gustav Klimt
- Adele Bloch-bauer I, 1907

Bought privately by cosmetic magnate, Ronald Lauder, it was part of a group of 5 canvases which had recently been returned to the heirs of Ferdinand Bloch-bauer after the Nazis confiscated his paintings during World War II. The paintings had been placed in the National Gallery of Austria in 1948 after the war.

5. $119.9 million - Edvard Munch
- The Scream, 1895

The most expensive painting ever sold at auction to an anonymous buyer who bid over the phone. The auction took only 12 minutes. It is the last one of four versions, available in private hands. The other three are available for viewing in Norwegian museums.

6. $106.5 million - Pablo Picasso
- Nude, Green Leaves and Bust, 1932

The most expensive work by Picasso ever sold at auction and bought by an anonymous buyer. The work, formerly in a private collection had never been exhibited in public since 1961.

7. $104.1 million - Pablo Picasso
- Garcon a la pipe, 1904

Sold in May 2004 to an anonymous buyer, it was the first time the $100 million barrier was broken. Although the name of the buyer was not revealed, it is thought to be Guido Barillo, the italian pasta magnate.

8. $100 million - Andy Warhol
- Eight Elvises, 1963

This work measures over 12 feet long and had been in a private collection for over 40 years until it sold to an anonymous buyer in 2008.

9. $95.2 million - Pablo Picasso
- Dora Maar au Chat, 1941

Picasso had a relationship with Dora Maar, a native from Paris but raised in Argentina, for 16 years from 1930 to 1946. This painting was sold to an anonymous buyer at an auction at Sotheby's New York.

10. $91 million - Titian
- Diana and Actaeon, 1556-59

Painted by Italian Renaissance master, Titian, the National Gallery, London and the National Gallery, Scotland campaigned to acquire the painting from the Bridgewater collection. It is on display in the UK and will alternate between the two galleries on five year terms.

Also see Bill Gate's Top 10 Books of 2012

Comments

THE IRISH PINE

I'm stepping back into 'Family Tree' mode again for a bit. My daughter says I have some very interesting people and stories in my family history and I have to agree. I've been doing a bit of research along Fergus O'Ryan 's line because of an exciting piece of information passed on to me by my second cousin...Thanks Ted! Apparently Fergus lost a brother during the war and here's how the story goes.... When hostilities broke out during World War II and Ireland had declared its neutrality during the early years of 1941, the Irish Government realised that they needed to become more independent and self-sufficient because most of its food requirements were being carried aboard allied vessels. Seán Lamass, Minister of supplies at the time (a veteran of the 1916 Rising, the War Of Independence and the Civil War and who later served as Taoiseach) felt that the creation of an Irish merchantile marine, neutral and with no military aims, was necessary. Thi...

WEDDED BLISS

Alleluia! I'm finished 'Wedded Bliss' and I couldn't be more pleased and delighted with the way it turned out. There was so much detail in it that it nearly did my nut! The curtain folds and tassels, the lace on the bodice of the dress, the intricate design on the headboard and bedspread, trying to capture the implied light coming through a window from the right, the shadows, the shading, I thought I'd never be finished. But I love it so much that I hate the thoughts of handing it over. It's like giving up my child for adoption!! 'Wedded Bliss', 16" x 20", Acrylic on Canvas I've chosen a 3" wide, smooth, satiny black finish, natural wood frame with a curvy crown profile to finish it off (thank you pictureframes.com ) and I must say, it is perfect for my painting. What do you think? I think I might use the same frame for my ' Turmoil ' as well when I'm ready to frame it. There it is, sitting pretty in the back...

More Silhouette Art by Ruth.

Here's another taster from my Silhouette Art series, I hope you like them. Keep an eye out for the boys ones coming soon.

TURMOIL

Turmoil by Ruth Kelly . (Oil on canvas board - 16"x12") Finally my first painting in oils is finished but believe it or not, will take the next 6 months or so to dry properly before I can varnish it. I'm still not sure about painting with oils. I do think the result is a softer, more dreamy painting but the waiting game is so frustrating! And now for the profound insight beneath the external ...the meaning behind my composition. Like many others, my life has been strewn with numerous tumultuous events throughout the years. Crisis and turbulence which at the time I struggled to overcome and was imprisoned in my sadness. On many occasions I would distance myself from my torment with a visit to somewhere solitary where I could lament and wallow in my despair and endulge in the pleasure of being sad. Thankfully I realised how gratuitous my melancholy was and managed to get through every storm and come out stronger the other side. This painting...

LITTLE BALLERINA

Here's something I finished recently for the Kiddies. I decided to paint it while I was waiting for ' Turmoil ' to dry because I had been asked by a few people to create some children's wall art, so this is No.1. I call it 'Little Ballerina' and am going to call the series 'Ruthie' (my nickname when I was a kid). It'll be my little 'by the way' project in between the serious stuff. Keep watching for No.2...all suggestions welcome! Little Ballerina by Ruth Kelly Acrylic on box canvas. Little Ballerina by Ruth Kelly