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Top 10 Most Expensive Photographs Ever Sold
The art world is abuzz with news of the latest record-breaking sale of a photograph. In this context, the phrase top 10 most expensive photographs ever sold resonates powerfully, shedding light on the commercial and artistic value that photographs can hold.
They are not just valuable because they are rare. They are also considered to be important works of art that reflect the changing times. Phantom, for example, is a meditation on the vastness and emptiness of the desert landscape. It is a reminder of the power of nature and the fragility of human existence.
From iconic portraits that immortalize cultural icons to breathtaking landscapes that transport viewers to distant realms, each photograph on this exclusive list tells a story that has resonated deeply with collectors and enthusiasts alike. That said, below is a list of the most expensive photographs ever sold.
Top 10 Most Expensive Photographs Ever Sold
Here are the top 10 most expensive photographs ever sold:
1. Phantom by Peter Lik (2014) – $6.5 million
Phantom is the most expensive photograph ever sold; it is a large-format black-and-white photograph of a desert landscape in Arizona. It was taken by Australian photographer Peter Lik in 2014 and sold for a record-breaking $6.5 million.
The photograph depicts a narrow canyon with towering walls of rock. The canyon is bathed in soft light, and a single beam of light cuts through the darkness, creating a ghostly figure. The effect is both beautiful and mysterious, and it has been interpreted in many different ways.
Some people see the Phantom as a metaphor for the human soul, trapped in a vast and empty world. Others see it as a meditation on the power of nature, or as a reminder of the fragility of human existence. Whatever the interpretation, the Phantom is a powerful and moving image that has captured the imagination of people around the world.
2. Rhein II by Andreas Gursky (2011)- $4.3 million
“Rhein II” is a visually striking photograph created by German artist Andreas Gursky. Captured in 1999, it depicts a serene and minimalistic landscape featuring the Rhine River in Germany.
The photograph’s sale for a record-breaking price of $4.3 million in 2011 reflects its status as a prominent example of contemporary art photography and highlights the value placed on Gursky’s innovative approach to visual storytelling.
Gursky’s unique approach to photography involves digitally manipulating his images to achieve a hyperreal and often abstract quality. In the case of “Rhein II,” he meticulously removed various elements from the scene, such as buildings and people, resulting in a clean, almost surreal composition that focuses solely on the river, its banks, and the distant sky.
3. Spiritual America by Richard Prince – $3.9 million
Spiritual America is a photograph by American artist Richard Prince. It is a close-up of a young Brooke Shields, taken from a Calvin Klein ad in 1976. The photograph was originally published in a book called Sugar and Spice: Surprising and Sensuous Images of Women, by Gary Gross.
Prince appropriated the image from the book and enlarged it to 20 x 24 inches. He then re-photographed it, adding a white border and his signature. The resulting image is a meditation on the commodification of female sexuality and the power of advertising.
In addition, Spiritual America was first exhibited in 1983 at Nature Morte, a gallery in New York City. The exhibition caused a great deal of controversy, with some people accusing Prince of child pornography. However, the photograph was eventually acquired by the Whitney Museum of American Art.
4. Untitled #96 by Cindy Sherman- $3.9 million
Untitled #96″ is a significant photographic work created by the American artist Cindy Sherman in 1981. Sherman is renowned for her self-portraiture that explores themes of identity, gender, and societal roles.
In Untitled #96, Sherman is lying on a linoleum floor, wearing a short orange sweater and a short skirt. She is clutching a scrap of newspaper in her hand. The background is a blank white wall.
The photograph is a striking and disturbing image. The young woman is vulnerable and exposed, and her expression is one of uncertainty and anxiety. The scrap of newspaper in her hand suggests that she is trying to escape from something, but it is unclear what that something is. The Untitled #96 is fourth on our list of the top 10 most expensive photographs ever sold.
5. To Her Majesty by Gilbert & George – $3.7 million
Another artwork on our list is To Her Majesty by Gilbert & George which was sold for $3.7 million. To Her Majesty is a prominent artwork created by the British artistic duo Gilbert & George.
This piece is part of their larger series known as “The Pictures,” which they started in the early 1970s. Gilbert & George are known for using themselves as the subjects of their art, exploring themes related to identity, society, and politics.
In “To Her Majesty,” the artists depict themselves in a formal, almost regal manner, surrounded by floral patterns and a decorative border reminiscent of traditional British aesthetics.
6. Dead Troops Talk– $3.6 million
Dead Troops Talk (A vision after an ambush of a Red Army patrol, near Moqor, Afghanistan, winter 1986) is a large-format colour photograph by Canadian artist Jeff Wall. It was created in 1992 and sold at auction in 2012 for $3.6 million, making it the third most expensive photograph ever sold at the time.
More so, the photograph depicts a group of dead Soviet soldiers, lying in a field. The soldiers are posed in a tableau as if they are still alive and talking to each other. The background is a barren landscape, with mountains in the distance. The lighting is harsh and the colours are muted.
The photograph is a powerful and disturbing image. It is a reminder of the horrors of war and the senseless loss of life. The tableau-like composition suggests that the soldiers are trapped in a moment of death, unable to move or speak. The harsh lighting and muted colours create a sense of unreality as if the scene is a dream or a nightmare.
7. Untitled (Cowboy) by Richard Prince – $3.4 million
Untitled (Cowboy) by Richard Prince is a photograph of a Marlboro Man ad that was taken in 2000-2002. It was sold at auction in 2014 for $3.4 million, making it the seventh most expensive photograph ever sold at the time.
The photograph is a re-photograph of a Marlboro Man ad that was originally published in Time magazine in 1976. Prince appropriated the image and enlarged it to 20 x 24 inches.
He then re-photographed it, adding a white border and his signature. The resulting image is a meditation on the commodification of American masculinity and the power of advertising.
Untitled (Cowboy) is a controversial photograph, but it is also considered to be a seminal work of appropriation art. Prince is a controversial figure in the art world, and his work often explores themes of sexuality, gender, and celebrity.
8. 99 Cent II Diptychon by Andreas Gursky – $3.3 million
“99 Cent II Diptychon” is a notable photographic diptych by German artist Andreas Gursky, known for his captivating depictions of modern life. Created in 2001, the artwork captures the interior of a supermarket with rows of colourful and neatly arranged products.
The repetition and scale of the items, as well as the sprawling expanse of the composition, create a sense of awe and contemplation. This photograph is emblematic of Gursky’s style, blending hyperrealism with abstraction to reflect the complexities of consumerism and the modern urban environment.
The artwork’s sale for $3.3 million further solidifies Gursky’s position in the realm of the most expensive photographs ever sold, illustrating the enduring fascination with his visually striking and thought-provoking imagery.
9. Chicago Board of Trade II by Andreas Gursky – $3.2 million
Chicago Board of Trade II by Andreas Gursky is a large-format colour photograph of the trading floor of the Chicago Board of Trade. It was taken in 1999 and sold at auction in 2013 for $3.2 million, making it the ninth most expensive photograph ever sold at the time.
The photograph shows the trading floor in a chaotic and frantic state. The floor is covered with a sea of bodies, and the dealers are all shouting and pointing. There is a jumble of hues and shapes in the background. The composition is dynamic, and the lighting is severe.
More so, the vision in the shot is strong and unsettling. It serves as a reminder of the avarice and turbulence in the banking sector. The trading floor’s volatility and craziness serve as a metaphor for the state of the world economy. A sense of urgency and anxiety is produced by the harsh lighting and dynamic composition.
Chicago Board of Trade II is a complex and challenging photograph that can be interpreted in many different ways. It is a powerful commentary on the financial world, and it is a reminder of the human cost of greed and speculation.
10. Untitled #153 by Cindy Sherman – $2.7 million
Untitled #153 by Cindy Sherman is a colour photograph of the artist herself, made in 1985. It was sold at auction in 2010 for $2.7 million, making it the 10th most expensive photograph ever sold at the time.
The photograph depicts Sherman as a blonde woman with a blank expression on her face. She is wearing a white dress and a black wig. The background is a plain white wall. The lighting is harsh and the composition is symmetrical.
The photograph is a striking and disturbing image. The woman’s blank expression is unsettling, and her unnatural pose suggests that she is not real. The harsh lighting and symmetrical composition create a sense of unreality as if the woman is a doll or a mannequin.
Top 10 Most Expensive Photographs Ever Sold
Below is a table of the most expensive photographs ever sold:
| Rank | Photograph | Artist | Sale Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phantom (2014) | Peter Lik | $6.5 million |
| 2 | Rhein II (2011) | Andreas Gursky | $4.3 million |
| 3 | Spiritual America | Richard Prince | $3.9 million |
| 4 | Untitled #96 (1981) | Cindy Sherman | $3.9 million |
| 5 | To Her Majesty | Gilbert & George | $3.7 million |
| 6 | Dead Troops Talk (1992) | Jeff Wall | $3.6 million |
| 7 | Untitled (Cowboy) (2000-2002) | Richard Prince | $3.4 million |
| 8 | 99 Cent II Diptychon (2001) | Andreas Gursky | $3.3 million |
| 9 | Chicago Board of Trade II (1999) | Andreas Gursky | $3.2 million |
| 10 | Untitled #153 (1985) | Cindy Sherman | $2.7 million |
Conclusion
The top 10 most expensive photographs ever sold are a testament to the power of photography as an art form. These photographs are not just snapshots of everyday life.
They are carefully crafted works of art that capture the beauty, the mystery, and the complexity of the world around us. The photographs on this list represent a wide range of styles and techniques. There are landscape photographs, portrait photographs, and conceptual photographs. There are photographs by famous photographers, such as Andreas Gursky and Cindy Sherman, and by lesser-known photographers, such as Peter Lik.