Most Expensive Photographs Ever Sold At Auctions (Top 10)

Photography can be quite an expensive craft to practice, however, the output (photographs) can sometimes bring at once what the photographer may have spent in a year. The world has experienced the sale of various photographs at really outrageous prices and sometimes, these prices are not fixed by the photographer who probably only imagined he would sell his piece of art for that price.

Auctions are forums where photographs are sold for millions and possibly billions. The price is determined by the buyer who mentions a price he is willing to pay to own the photograph (possibly what he thinks the photograph is worth).

In this article, RNN highlights the top 10 most expensive photographs ever sold at auctions. You’ll be shocked at the first three prices.

10. Untitled Film Still #48- $2.9 Million

This photograph was created by Cindy Sherman in 1979. It is part of a series Sherman made between 1977 and 1980. The series features the photographer herself as fictitious female characters in 69 black and white photographs.

She recreated female cliches from films with makeup, wigs, and vintage dresses. Photograph #48 was sold at $2,965,00 in 2015.

9. Untitled (Cowboy)- $3 Million

This untitled cowboy photograph was sold for $3,077,000 in 2014. It was created by Richard Prince in 2000. The photograph is actually a photograph of a photograph. Who would have thought something that “simple” would rake in millions!

Prince photographed pictures as he developed his own photographic technique. The image, for example, is a marketing effort for Marlboro and the character in the image is known as the “Marlboro Man”. It was purchased in 2014.

8. Chicago Board of Trade II

If there’s ever a medal for the photographer with the highest sales so far, Andreas Gursky deserves one. The renowned photographer is known for creating really great photographs that make millions at auctions.

‘Chicago Board of Trade II’ was created by Gursky in 1999 as a 157 × 284 cm print. The photographs depicts the Chicago Board of Trade’s Trading floor. Gursky double-exposed some parts of the images to show a sense of movement.

The photograph was sold for $3,298,755 in 2013.

7. 99 Cent II Diptychon- $3.3 Million

Surely, this is one of those rare photographs that would make anyone think that those who purchase photographs for millions are not wise. Otherwise, who would purchase a photograph of a supermarket for $3,346,456? Wild right?

Well, there are those who appreciate photography enough to purchase such for millions of naira. The chromogenic color print above was created by Andreas Gursky in 2001. He altered the photo digitally before pushing it out to the world. The piece was sold at Sotheby’s London in February 2007.

Some people hilariously feel it should have made just 99 cents as the name suggests.

6. Dead Troops Talk ($3.6 Million)

The above image is a world-famous photograph created by photographer, Jeff Wall in 1992. The large-format Cibachrome photograph is inspired by the history of art. It depicts a fictional battlefield seen that shows soldiers coming back to life, making it look like a horrific zombie film.

It was sold in May 2012 for $3,666,500.

5. To Her Majesty- $3.7 Million

‘To Her Majesty’ is a photograph created by Gilbert & George way back in 1973. It was created as a Gelatin Silver print. The series of photographs commemorate the drunk evenings of both photographers.

It was auctioned for $3,765,276 at Christie’s New York in London in June 2008.

4. Untitled #96

This photograph by Cindy Sherman epicts rape and abuse. Although the inspiration for this world was an erotic men’s magazine, the photograph is actually the complete opposite of a model from such a magazine.

Iinstead of a seductive looking woman, the model looks scared and vulnerable. Many people believe her facial expression makes her look scared and vulnerable. It was auctioned for $3,890,500 at Christie’s New York in May 2011. It remains the fourth on the list of the most expensive photographs ever sold to date.

3. Spiritual America- $3.9 Million

Created by Richard Prince in 1981, Spiritual America is one of the most controversial photographs in the world. The picture depicts 10-year-old and naked Brooke Shields. Experts say her “childish body is in contrast to her seductive and mature facial expression” in the photograph.

The piece was banned from the exhibition in the Tate Modern by the police in London. It was later sold at Chrstie’s New York in May 2014. It was sold for $3,973,000.

2. Rhein II- $4.3 Million

Before it was surpassed in 2014, ‘Rhein II’ was the most expensive photograph ever sold. It was created by Andreas Gursky in 1999. The chromogenic color print shows the lower Rhine. The photographer removed dog walkers and a factory building while the photo was undergoing digital editing.

‘Rhein II’ was sold at Christie’s New York in November 2011 for $4,338,500.

1. Phantom- $6.5 Million

‘Phantom‘ is the most expensive photograph ever sold in the world. It is a 2014 photograph by Peter Lik. The black and white photo is a print of the famous Antelope Canyon in Arizona, United States of America.

It became the most expensive photograph ever sold after it was auctioned for $6.5 Million and ten cents. Australian photographer, Peter Lik probably never imagined that his photograph would be worth this much but here we are.

Most Expensive Photographs Ever Sold at Auctions (Summary)

Note that these figures are the prices the photographs were initially sold for. In today’s rate, the prices have increased, some by an extra million and some by a few thousands.

Here are the top 10 most expensive photographs ever sold at auctions.

1. Phantom- $6.5 Million
2. Rhein II- $4.3 Million
3. Spiritual America- $3.9 Million
4. Untitled #96
5. To Her Majesty- $3.7 Million
6. Dead Troops Talk ($3.6 Million)
7. 99 Cent II Diptychon- $3.3 Million
8. Chicago Board of Trade II
9. Untitled (Cowboy)- $3 Million
10. Untitled Film Still #48- $2.9 Million