Alberto Giacometti: "L’Homme qui marche I"
1961 $104.3 million - Sotheby's London, February 2010
This life-size work ranks among the most arresting and iconic of the artist’s bronzes, and became the most expensive work of Art ever auctioned at that time.
1961 $104.3 million - Sotheby's London, February 2010
This life-size work ranks among the most arresting and iconic of the artist’s bronzes, and became the most expensive work of Art ever auctioned at that time.
Amedeo Modigliani:"'Tête'"
1910-12 $59.5 million - Christie's Paris, June 2010
One of the 27 sculptures Modigliani ever created (and one of the only ten remaining in private hands), this stone sculpture is the most expensive work of art ever auctioned in France
1910-12 $59.5 million - Christie's Paris, June 2010
One of the 27 sculptures Modigliani ever created (and one of the only ten remaining in private hands), this stone sculpture is the most expensive work of art ever auctioned in France
Unknown artist: "The Guennol Lioness"
c.3000 b.c. $57.2 million - Sotheby's NY, December 5th 2007
The Guennol Lioness, a true masterpiece of Ancient Art, was created approximately 5,000 years ago in the region of ancient Mesopotamia. This work is also the most expensive antiquity ever sold
c.3000 b.c. $57.2 million - Sotheby's NY, December 5th 2007
The Guennol Lioness, a true masterpiece of Ancient Art, was created approximately 5,000 years ago in the region of ancient Mesopotamia. This work is also the most expensive antiquity ever sold
Henri Matisse: "Nu de dos 4 état (Back IV)"
1958 $48.8 million - Christie's New York, November 2010
The auction was the first time in history that a work from the artist’s celebrated 'Back' series has ever come to auction
1958 $48.8 million - Christie's New York, November 2010
The auction was the first time in history that a work from the artist’s celebrated 'Back' series has ever come to auction
Unknown artist: "Artemis and the stag"
1st century b.c.- 1st century a.c. $28.6 million Sotheby's NY, June 2007
This beautiful and well-preserved bronze statue is also the second most expensive sculpture ever sold.
1st century b.c.- 1st century a.c. $28.6 million Sotheby's NY, June 2007
This beautiful and well-preserved bronze statue is also the second most expensive sculpture ever sold.
Constantin Brancusi: "Madame LR (Portrait de Mme LR)"
c.1914-17 $36.8 million - Christie's Paris, Fenruary 24th 2009
One of the stars of the so-called "auction of the century", the sale of the Yves Saint Laurent collection of Art
c.1914-17 $36.8 million - Christie's Paris, Fenruary 24th 2009
One of the stars of the so-called "auction of the century", the sale of the Yves Saint Laurent collection of Art
Constantini Brancusi: "Bird in space"
1922-23 $27.5 million Christie's NY, May 2005
Brancusi is arguably the most important sculptor of the 20th century and his 'Birds in space' rank among his most iconic works. This stylized piece surpassed the previous auction record for a sculpture -also held by Brancusi- in almost $10 million.
1922-23 $27.5 million Christie's NY, May 2005
Brancusi is arguably the most important sculptor of the 20th century and his 'Birds in space' rank among his most iconic works. This stylized piece surpassed the previous auction record for a sculpture -also held by Brancusi- in almost $10 million.
David Smith: "Cubi XXVIII"
1965 $23.5 million Sotheby's NY, November 2005 Buyer: Eli Broad
Smith's impressive sculpture -formerly in the Guggenheim Museum- was purchased by Larry Gagosian, representing collector Eli Broad. This is the most expensive contemporary sculpture ever sold.
1965 $23.5 million Sotheby's NY, November 2005 Buyer: Eli Broad
Smith's impressive sculpture -formerly in the Guggenheim Museum- was purchased by Larry Gagosian, representing collector Eli Broad. This is the most expensive contemporary sculpture ever sold.
Constantini Brancusi: "Danaide"
1913 $18.1 million Christie's NY, May 2002
This elegant bronze head was the most expensive sculpture ever sold for three years, until it was surpassed by another Brancusi, the "Bird in space" (see above)
1913 $18.1 million Christie's NY, May 2002
This elegant bronze head was the most expensive sculpture ever sold for three years, until it was surpassed by another Brancusi, the "Bird in space" (see above)
Antonio Canova: "The three graces"
1814-17 $11.5 million (BP7.5 million) Private sale, 1994 Buyer: Victoria & Albert Museum and the National Gallery of Scotland
Perhaps not the most expensive, but arguably the most important sculpture ever sold, at least in recent times. Canova's masterwork was purchased jointly by Victoria & Albert Museum and the National Gallery of Scotland.
1814-17 $11.5 million (BP7.5 million) Private sale, 1994 Buyer: Victoria & Albert Museum and the National Gallery of Scotland
Perhaps not the most expensive, but arguably the most important sculpture ever sold, at least in recent times. Canova's masterwork was purchased jointly by Victoria & Albert Museum and the National Gallery of Scotland.