The Most Valuable Paintings Where Riches And Art Collide

What happens when the right mixture of paint, canvas, and taste comes together? For some artists, not much. But for a small collection of the most incredible pieces of art, the wealth stemming from their creations is unimaginable.

The most expensive paintings in the world bring together authentic pieces of history, combined with deep historical significance, and a splash of something special. That X factor might mean being lost for decades. Or for displaying something culturally forbidden.

Whatever the case, this list of the world’s most expensive paintings is sure to leave you wondering if you should have picked up the paintbrush more often. For investors, these paintings are more than scribbles on canvas, and like the most expensive stamps, they are much more than sticky pieces of paper used to send mail.

They’re deep testaments to the history, popularity, and condition of the pieces of art. Usually offering a glance into the fabled past ownership, challenging social hierarchies, or some other unique backstory, these paintings bring serious cash to the table. Enough to bankrupt some entire countries.

If it were to come up for auction, the Mona Lisa would likely fetch the highest price in history for a painting (even after its glass case was smothered with cake).

But since it’s nearly impossible to determine the value of museum pieces, this list only encompasses the most valuable paintings sold between private sellers, either at auction or in private deals.

The 11 most expensive paintings to look out for