What are the most popular or expensive paintings in history?

## Most Expensive Paintings in History

The art market has produced a handful of works that command astronomical prices, often reshaping how we view artistic value. Below are some of the most celebrated—and costly—pieces ever sold.

• Salvator Mundi (c. 1500) by Leonardo da Vinci – this small portrait of Christ as the “Savior of the World” shattered records when it fetched $450 million at Christie’s in 2017 artnews.com.
  wikipedia.org

• Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer (1914‑1916) by Gustav Klimt – the Guggenheim‑style portrait sold for $236 million in a 20‑minute bidding battle, making it the second‑most expensive artwork ever auctioned bbc.com.
  bbc.com

• Interchange (1978) by Willem de Kooning – a landmark of Abstract Expressionism that realized $300 million when purchased by hedge‑fund magnate Kenneth C. Griffin veranda.com.
  veranda.com

• When Will You Marry? (1892) by Paul Gauguin – fetched $300 million at a private sale, underscoring the rising value of Post‑Impressionist masterpieces wikipedia.org.
  wikipedia.org

These works illustrate how price tags can eclipse artistic discourse, yet the cultural resonance of the paintings often outlasts the numbers. Whether driven by provenance, controversy, or sheer rarity, each sale redefines the boundaries of what collectors are willing to risk. The market continues to set new benchmarks, suggesting that the next record‑breaking masterpiece may still be waiting in a private collection or museum vault.