Top 10 Most Expensive Pieces of Art Sold in 2016

art

 

What makes a piece of art truly great? For some it’s the artist and for others it’s the piece itself. Still, for others it’s a combination of the two. It is difficult to put a finger on what makes something truly artistic, as well as determining a piece of art’s true value. After all, beauty and value are very subjective in the art world. However, the following paintings have definitely found beauty (and value) in the eyes of their beholders.

No. 10 – Kerry James Marshall- Plunge (1992) – $2.1 million

Plunge by Kerry James Marshall kicks off the list. This acrylic and paper collage on canvas is symbolic of the slave trade era. It garnered just north of $2 million at Christie’s.

No. 9 – Frida Kahlo – Two Nudes In A Forest (1939) – $8 million

This piece has seen a huge increase in value over the past two decades as twentieth century female artists have grown in popularity. While it once sold for $150,000 in 1989, this painting just fetched $8 million in 2016.

No. 8 – Richard Prince – Runaway Nurse (2006) – $9.7 million

This painting sold for just $6.8 million five years ago, but it has increased in value by nearly $3 million over that time period. Purchased for $9.7 million in 2016 by Yusaku Maezawa, this contemporary piece from 2006 is part of Richard Prince’s “Nurse” series and has earned a lot of attention from both those in and outside of the art world.

No. 7 – Sam Francis – Summer #1 (1957) – $10.4 million

Sam Francis has seen several of his pieces increase in value in the last few years, including this postwar/contemporary piece from 1957.

No. 6 – Agnes Martin – Orange Grove (1965) – $10.7 million

Perhaps the buyer of this painting loves oranges. It was expected to garner about $6-$8 million at auction but ended up fetching close to $11 million.

No. 5 – Claude Monet – Le bassin aux nympheas (1919) – $27 million

While most of Monet’s pieces are actually housed in museums, this one went on the block this year and fetched $27 million at auction.

No. 4 – Mark Rothko – No. 17 (1957) – $32.6 million

Coming in at number four is this symbolic postwar piece by Mark Rothko, which sold for more than $32 million at Christie’s earlier this year.

No. 3 – Jean-Michel Basquiat – Untitled (1982) – $57.2 million

This contemporary piece from 1982 is one of the top attractions in the neo- expressionist art genre, and it continues to increase in value. Twelve years ago it sold for just $4.5 million. But just like Runaway Nurse, it was purchased by Yusaku Maezawa for more than $57 million.

No. 2 – Peter Paul Rubens – Lot and His Daughters (1613-14) – $58 million

This is the second most expensive Rubens painting ever, trailing only his “Master of the Innocents.” This is an extremely old painting as well as extremely valuable.

No. 1 – Pablo Picasso – Femme Assise (1909) – $63.4 million

Picasso is not for everyone, but there’s no doubt his paintings have fetched some of the highest amounts of money in the world, including in 2016, which saw his Femme Assise sale for just over $63 million. Much of the value comes from this painting being credited with introducing a new form of art. And of course, it’s a Picasso.

You also might like the article Art as an Investment

Follow GROCO on Facebook

Posted in
leadership traits

In Which Leadership Traits Do Women Rank Higher Than Men?

In Which Leadership Traits Do Women Rank Higher Than Men? Men and women are different. Neither is better than the other, and they both excel at different things. Sometimes women are better at certain things than men, and the opposite is also true. So what about when it comes to leadership? Which things do women rank higher in…

What’s New With the Alternative Minimum Tax?

What’s New With the Alternative Minimum Tax?

What’s New With the Alternative Minimum Tax? The Tax Cut and Jobs Act affected numerous portions of the nation’s tax law. However, one part that hasn’t been discussed much is its effect on the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). The AMT has been around since 1969 and its purpose has always been to make sure that…

The 5 Must-Have Leadership Traits for Executives

The 5 Must-Have Leadership Traits for Executives

The 5 Must-Have Leadership Traits for Executives If you’re in an executive position then it’s a given that you’re a leader, right? Well, in reality, just because you carry an executive title that doesn’t make you a true leader. In fact, in order to be a real leader, you need to develop and cultivate certain traits…

Rose Shoen

Beyond the Game: How One Coach Helps Provide Better Socioeconomic Opportunities For Her Team.

Rose Shoen is a semi pro soccer player in the Women’s Premier Soccer league. She received all star selection in 2016 and 2017. She also holds a C national USSF coaching license and founded her own men’s soccer franchise, Azteca FC in 2013. She is the only female owner/manager/coach in the San Francisco Soccer Football League’s history. Rose also works coaching high school youth from low income minority groups with the objective to help them receive college scholarships. Many of these players