The Most Expensive Paintings in the World after adjusted inflation

Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and Vincent Van Gogh are three of the many artists whose masterpieces have been some of the most expensive paintings in the world.

Though, Warhol and Picasso lived long enough to see their success; Van Gogh was only able to sell one painting in his lifetime.

Van Gogh’s most expensive painting is the Portrait of Doctor Gachet that was auctioned for $82.5 million, which is around $151.2 after adjusting inflation.

Here are some of the most expensive paintings in the world:

1. Interchange by Willem de Kooning

An abstract expressionist painting, Interchange was sold in September 2015 by the David Geffen Foundation at $300 million.

2. Nafea Faa Ipoipo (When Will You Marry?) by Paul Gauguin

This painting by the post-impressionist artist is actually inspired by Tahitian women. When it was up for auction in February 2015, it was bought by the State of Qatar for $300 million.

3. The Card Players by Paul Cézanne

An oil painting done by French Post-Impressionist artist, Paul Cézanne, this painting too was bought by the State of Qatar in 2011. It was sold for about $259 million ($276 million after adjustment).

4. Number 17A by Jackson Pollock

Number 17A is an oil on fibreboard painting done by abstract expressionist artist Jackson Pollock. It was sold to Kenneth C. Griffin in 2015 for around $200 million.

5. No. 6 by Mark Rothko

A true masterpiece by Rothko, this painting has three primary colours – Violet, Green, and Red. It was sold to a Russian buyer in 2014 for $186 million.

6. Pendant portraits of Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit by Rembrandt

This pair of life-like paintings were actually wedding portraits done of the bride and groom by Rembrandt. Since then the paintings have always been kept together. They were sold in 2014 for 182 million.

7. Les Femmes d'Alger ("Version O") by Pablo Picasso

This painting is part of a series done by the famous cubist artist Picasso. Now part of a private collection, it was sold by Christe’s for $179 million.

8. Nu Couché by Amedeo Modigliani

This oil on canvas painting by Modigliani is one of the most exhibited and popular painting by the artist. It was sold in in

9. No. 5, 1948 by Jackson Pollock

Another classic by Pollock, this one has white, brown, and yellow paint drizzled all over the surface. In fact, it very much resembles a bird’s nest. The painting was last sold in 2006 for $140 million.

10. Woman III by Willem de Kooning

This abstract painting by Willem de Kooning was part of a series where he specifically focused on women. It was sold in 2006 for $136 million ($163.4 million after adjustment) and for a while it was the fourth most expensive painting in the world.

11. Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I by Gustav Klimt

Also known as the Woman in Gold, the story behind this picture is so interesting that Hollywood decided to make a film about it starring Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds. Adele Bloch Bauer’s niece Maria Altmann fought a long legal battle with the State of Austria to gain the ownership of the painting. Finally, she won the case and sold it to the Estee Lauder heir Ronald S. Lauder for $135 million ($160.4 million after adjustment).

12. Le Rêve by Pablo Picasso

This erotic painting by Picasso was first estimated at $139 million, which would have made Le Rêve officially the most expensive piece of art at the point of time. But in an accident, the previous owner ripped six inches of the painting, and with repairs, the sell was stalled. It was later sold in 2013 for $155 million ($159.4 million after adjustment).

13. Portrait of Dr. Gachet by Vincent van Gogh

The most expensive painting by Vincent Van Gogh, this one features his doctor who treated Van Gogh in the last days of his life. It was sold in 1990 for $82 million, which now after adjustment for inflation would go up to $151.2 million.

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And: Portrait of Dr. Gachet by Vincent van Gogh