(Continued from November 7)
“Massacre of the Innocents” by Peter Paul Rubens (US$76.7m)
This painting by Peter Paul Rubens, painted in 1611, is the only painting on this list that was not painted in the 19th or 20th centuries. It was sold to Kenneth Thomson, second Baron Thomson of Fleet for US$76.7 million at a 2002 Sotheby’s auction (拍卖).
“Portrait de l’Artiste sans Barbe” by Vincent van Gogh (US$71.5m)
“Portrait de l’artiste sans Barbe” (in English “Self-portrait Without Beard”) is one of many self-portraits (自画像) by Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh. He painted this one in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, in September 1889. The painting, an oil-on-canvas, is 40cm x 31cm.
This is an uncommon painting since his other self-portraits show him with a beard. The self-portrait became one of the most expensive paintings of all time when it was sold for US$71.5 million in 1998 in New York.
“Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier” by Paul Cézanne (US$60.5m)
This painting by Paul Cézanne, painted in 1893-1894, sold for US$60.5 million at Sotheby’s, New York, on May 10, 1999 to Whitney Museum of American Art. Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney born into one of America’s wealthiest families, was a venture capitalist (风险资本家), publisher, Broadway show and Hollywood film producer, and philanthropist (慈善家).
“Femme aux Bras Croisés” by Pablo Picasso (US$55m)
This work (in English “Woman With Folded Arms”), painted in 1901, was part of Picasso’s famous Blue Period, a dark, sad time in the artist’s life. The beautiful and various tones of blue are typical. The painting depicts a woman with her arms crossed staring at the endless nothing.
“Femme aux Bras Croisés” was sold for US$55 million on November 8, 2000, at Christies Rockefeller in New York City.
“Irises” by Vincent van Gogh (US$54m)
Vincent van Gogh painted this at Saint Paul-de-Mausole in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, in 1889, only one year before his death. In 1987, it became the most expensive painting to date. It was sold for US$54 million to Alan Bond and later resold to the Getty Museum.
