10 most expensive contemporary artists whose work is driven into a stupor

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

The popularity of contemporary art is growing every day, especially when it comes to unusual, vivid and memorable art that can push the usual boundaries of human understanding and explore new topics. In addition, it is contemporary art that is the best-selling today, as evidenced by the sales figures at auctions, where you can often find the most incredible works that are evaluated as a real national treasure. And we are talking not only about high-quality artists with their flight of thought, but about sculptors and other artists who, creating their masterpieces, could not even think that they would bring them millions.

1. Giovanni Anselmo, Italy

This sculptor was widely known for taking part in the radical movement that was widespread in Italy in the early 70s of the century. At that time, his works were something radically new, hinting at the need for a complete change of themes and styles in art, cultural norms and traditions. Giovanni himself was born in 1934 and for the first time took up the creation of his masterpieces after the outbreak of World War II. His best-selling work among all the others was the work "Torsion", created in 1968 from natural wood, concrete and soft leather. According to reports from Christie's auction, this work was estimated at $ 6 million.

2. Anish Kapoor, India

Kapoor can be safely called the most demanded and popular Indian artist of our time. With British roots, this man has become insanely popular not only in his country, but also abroad thanks to the incredibly beautiful and detailed work. Today, Anish's works are sold out rather quickly and decorate the houses and galleries of private collectors. The most expensive painting in the history of this author's work is "Untitled", created in 2009. It was valued at $ 2 million and sold at a British auction.

3. Luo Zhongli, China

This man is one of the most prominent representatives of modern Chinese culture. National motives are reflected in his work, and his favorite theme is the rural landscape and portraits of farmers, which catch to the depths of the soul with their detail and sensuality. Lo was a student at the Institute of Fine Arts and also studied at the Royal Academy in Antwerp. This artist is also known for being one of the top 500 most sought-after artists of our time with fabulous bank accounts. For example, Law has accumulated over 25 million euros in his entire creative career. And, of course, auctions helped him in this, at one of which his work "Spring Silkworms" was estimated at almost $ 7 million, and became the most expensive painting sold in Hong Kong.

4. Bryce Marden, USA

An innovative artist who, to this day, critics cannot attach to any particular creative direction or style. Bryce was born in 1938, studied at the University of Boston, and later at the Yale School of Art and Architecture. In modern times, this artist is known for his unique manner, in which the classics are intertwined with new, more technological details. Not so long ago, in 2013, his painting, which bears the name "The Attended", received worldwide recognition, and was valued at $ 11 million at an auction.

5. Zeng Fangzhi, China

Fanzhi is called the modern Chinese emperor when it comes to art. It should be mentioned that in the top 500 of the most demanded and highly paid artists in the world, he takes the honorable fourth place, having become the record holder for the number of the most expensive paintings. For example, his early work, which was called "Hospital No. 3", a few years ago was estimated at $ 14.8 million. His most popular painting is, of course, The Last Supper, which imitates Da Vinci's painting with its biblical motives. Yes, only this picture reflects the life of pioneers and communists, and such a creative and elegant approach was estimated at 23.4 million dollars. It should also be mentioned that one of Zeng's latest paintings actually broke all previously set records and went under the hammer for 60 million euros.

6. Peter Doig, Scotland

Doig is known even outside his home country as one of the most soulful and sensual authors. His works, filled with realism and light notes of magic, have always been highly appreciated not only by spectators, but also by collectors. Therefore, it is not surprising that his creation "White Canoe" was auctioned in London for $ 11.4 million. A little later, in 2015, in New York, his painting "Swamped", painted over twenty years ago, was valued at $ 26 million, thereby becoming the most expensive lot not only at the auction itself, but also one of the most expensive paintings of its kind. from Scotland.

7. Christopher Wool, USA

This contemporary artist is one of the few who decided to conquer the world with his conceptual ideas, which others could not even imagine. Characteristically, he studied the art of drawing in New York, but then, carried away by the underground art of cinema and music, he dropped out and went to free bread in the difficult 70-80s. But this is what brought him international recognition and fame. For example, his work, which depicts simple large letters on canvas, brought him the most fame and profit. Also worth noting is the painting "Apocalypse Now", which went under the hammer for $ 27 million. A few years earlier, Wool set his first record: almost $ 8 million for one of the paintings, which brought him unprecedented fame and success, making his work the most sought after in the modern world.

8. Jasper Johns, USA

The American artist was born in the distant 1930, and became well known for his absolutely unique and unlike anything else style. While the rest of the creators followed the developing genre of expressionism, Jasper chose a different path for himself, which brought him worldwide fame. His paintings always consist of simple and understandable elements, for example, from numbers and symbols available to everyone, which, intertwining against the background of the flag, create a fascinating and exciting composition. Therefore, it is not surprising that the most sold paintings of this artist are his works, which contain flags. One of these paintings was sold at Christie's for $ 29 million, thus becoming one of the most expensive lots. It should also be noted that Jasper is not only a universal favorite and a genius creator, but also had a striking influence on pop art of the 60s and 70s of the last century.

9. Gerhard Richter, Germany

This artist was born in 1932. Many of his works reflect everything that he saw, heard and absorbed during the Second World War, which the artist met while living in Dresden. Also, Gerhard's favorite theme is the Cold War between America and the USSR. Initially, Richter studied at a school where the main style was socialist realism, but together with the move to another city, the artist discovers the widest world of the avant-garde. According to the latest research, his work "Abstraktes Bild", written in 1986, was auctioned at Sotheby's in London for $ 47 million. Despite the fact that most of the time Richter paints a painterly abstraction, he does not forget about photorealism, which was also highly praised by critics.

10. Jeff Koons, USA

And, in conclusion, one of the most sought-after and highly paid artists of our time should be mentioned. Koons's works are reproductions of popular plots and motives, as well as simple and understandable objects presented in pop style. This artist can be safely called the record holder for the number of paintings sold, the number of which has long exceeded 1,300 copies. Of particular note is the work "Balloon Dog (Orange)", which sold in New York for $ 59 million. According to the auction house Christie's, this work is one of the most expensive pieces of art ever presented to them. Just a few years ago, Koons sold his work, which depicts Michael Jackson, for $ 6 million in New York, thereby adding a few more zeros to his bank account.

Continuing the theme - that were sold for millions of "green".