DURBAN -
The auctioneering world was shaken last week when a Leonardo da Vinci painting became the most expensive painting ever sold.
In light of this historic feat, we've decided to compile a list of the most expensive paintings ever sold on auction:
The first is Christ as Salvador Mundi
This Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece sold at a Christie's auction in New York for $450,3 million. The painting was estimated at $100 million and was highly anticipated by potential bidders. The painting itself is over 500 years-old, however the name of buyer of the painting was not disclosed.
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Next on the list is Women of Algiers
This Pablo Picasso art work sold for an impressive $179,4 million at Christie's in 2015. The bidding process was just eleven minutes, with the painting holding an estimated pre-sale value of $140 million. The buyer of the Pablo Picasso painting also remains anonymous.
Then we have Nu Couché
Nu Couché(Reclining Nude) was painted by Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani back in 1917. The painting sold for $170,4 million in 2015 in a Christie's auction, with a pre-sale estimate of $100 million. The painting was bought by Liu Yiqian, a billionaire investor and art enthusiast.
The Woman in Gold
Gustav Klimt's The Woman in Gold sold for $135 million back in 2006. The private sale of the painting was brokered through auctioning house Christie's and the buyer is also unknown.
Lastly, we have the Portrait of Dr. Gachet
This Vincent Van Gogh painting sold in 1990 for $82,5 million. The adjusted price is set at R149,7 million. The Portrait of Dr. Gachet was auctioned off to Ryoei Saito who is a Japanese manufacturer.