Priceless Paintings

Twenty of the most valuable paintings in the world are illustrated and described

Here is a presentation of the twenty most valuable paintings in the world. Each has sold for more than US $1,000,000. From Cezanne’s “The Card Players” to van Gogh’s “Portrait de l’artiste sans barbe”, each painting is renowned for it’s provocative glimpse into the mind of the artist.

Cezanne has but one entry into this prestigious group, albeit, it is the most costly having been sold for nearly 270 million dollars. Four of Picasso’s works are in this elite club with a total value in excess of 500 million dollars.

Van Gogh sold only one of his paintings during his lifetime for the princely sum of 400 francs, about $78 in U.S. currency at the turn of the 19th century. Today, his four entries in this exclusive list of million plus artworks have a total value of 471 million dollars.

A number of 20th century artists made this list as well. Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Jasper Johns and Andy Warhol are each represented among the “Golden Twenty” for a combined value of more than 650 million dollars.

Not to be outdone by his colleagues, Pablo Picasso is represented on this list four times for a total value of 508 million dollars.

Gustav Klimt, Francis Bacon, Pierre Renoir, Edvard Munch and Barnett Newman round out the remaining members of the Million Dollar Plus Club.