Loading Spinner

Paintings

Painting is arguably the most saleable form of art. It is also among the oldest of mediums, dating back more than 31,000 years to prehistoric cave paintings. In the West, painting did not surpass tapestry in importance until the 18th century, though many masterworks date to the Renaissance or earlier. Painting later went out of fashion from the 1970s through the 1990s as a mode of expression for contemporary artists.

In the new millennium, painting has recovered its popularity, and the practice has remained fairly unchanged. Paints remain a mixture of colored pigment and binder, and common subject matters still comprise imagery or inspiration from the objects or events in artists’ daily lives. The contemporary painter’s palette consists not only of colors, but the range of historic painting styles.

Recent ballooning fine art sales figures reflect a long-recorded trend that closely ties paintings sales to the boom (and bust) of the economy. 

Notable paintings sold at auction include:

  • Paul Gauguin’s “Nafea faa ipoipo? (When will you marry?)” of 1892 was bought for $300 million during a private sale in 2015
  • Just three months later, Christie’s announced the sale of “Les Femmes d'Alger (Women of Algiers)” by Pablo Picasso of 1955 for $179.4 million – the highest priced painting ever sold at auction at the time
  • Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci sold for $450.3 million on November 15, 2017 at Christie’s

See more about the Most Expensive Paintings Ever Sold on the Invaluable blog.

Recommended Items at Auction

See all items

Digby (R. David, b.1936) Red Kite, 600 x 475 mm, c.1988; Green Satyr – Head Studies
Nov 09, 5:30 AM EST
Digby (R. David, b.1936) Red Kite, 600 x 475 mm, c.1988; Green Satyr – Head Studies
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: ¥400- ¥600
¥184,00037 Bids
Harrison (J. C.) Mallards Taking Off, original watercolour & gouache with pencil.
Nov 09, 5:30 AM EST
Harrison (J. C.) Mallards Taking Off, original watercolour & gouache with pencil.
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: ¥600- ¥800
¥19,50028 Bids
Green (Roland, 1890-1972) Kentish Plover and Young, original watercolour.
Nov 09, 5:30 AM EST
Green (Roland, 1890-1972) Kentish Plover and Young, original watercolour.
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: ¥200- ¥300
¥92522 Bids
D’Silva (Carl, d. 2015) Lesser Florican, original oil on board, signed & dated lower right, framed, 650 x 890 mm, 1989.
Nov 09, 5:30 AM EST
D’Silva (Carl, d. 2015) Lesser Florican, original oil on board, signed & dated lower right, framed, 650 x 890 mm, 1989.
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: ¥200- ¥300
¥5,70020 Bids
bp parity badge
A fine oval portrait of a heroic gentleman, late 17thC, 58 x 72 cm
Dec 31, 10:00 AM CET
A fine oval portrait of a heroic gentleman, late 17thC, 58 x 72 cm
by Carlo Bonte Auctions
Est: €5,000- €8,000
€2,8003 Bids
bp parity badge
A portrait of Charles d'Albert, Le Connétable de Luynes, 17thC, 27,5 x 34,5 cm
Dec 31, 10:00 AM CET
A portrait of Charles d'Albert, Le Connétable de Luynes, 17thC, 27,5 x 34,5 cm
by Carlo Bonte Auctions
Est: €3,000- €5,000
€1,5001 Bid
bp parity badge
Attributed to Catharina van Hemessen (1528 – after 1565), 24,7 x 31,8 cm
Dec 31, 10:00 AM CET
Attributed to Catharina van Hemessen (1528 – after 1565), 24,7 x 31,8 cm
by Carlo Bonte Auctions
Est: €5,000- €8,000
€2,4001 Bid
bp parity badge
(Circle of) Carlo Maratta (1625-1713), portrait of a female artist, 50 x 64 cm
Dec 31, 10:00 AM CET
(Circle of) Carlo Maratta (1625-1713), portrait of a female artist, 50 x 64 cm
by Carlo Bonte Auctions
Est: €2,000- €4,000
€1,0001 Bid
bp parity badge
The portrait of the 'Duchesse d'Angoulême', 17thC, 26,5 x 33,5 cm
Dec 31, 10:00 AM CET
The portrait of the 'Duchesse d'Angoulême', 17thC, 26,5 x 33,5 cm
by Carlo Bonte Auctions
Est: €3,000- €5,000
€1,5001 Bid

Sellers Who Sell Paintings


Lawsons

Lawsons

Abell Auction

Abell Auction

Tajan

Tajan