These are the most expensive paintings in the world

MASTERS selects five paintings that have broken all records in history and are the most expensive in the world. Mostly created by iconic masters such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Paul Cézanne, but in this selection the name of a Dutch master also flaunts...Text: Fleur de Jong

Salvator Mundi by Leonardo Da Vinci | 379.2 million

Originally estimated at 84 million euros, this oil painting from around 1500 and auctioned by Christie's in November 2017 broke an absolute record: the painting was auctioned to a private collector for 379 million euros, making it also the only work by Da Vinci in private hands. This painting has long been talked about because of the mystique surrounding it. The work is considered the "last Da Vinci" and the male Mona Lisa, due to the subtle smile of the Christ depicted. Following critics, the work was partly painted by his pupils and shows a blessed Christ with a crystal ball.

Number 17A by Jackson Pollock | 168 million

Jackson Pollock is also called the father of abstract expressionism. Jackson is known for his dripping technique that he used from 1947 to 1950. The artist's artworks were met with much criticism and were not popular and therefore had a low value. Nevertheless, in 2015 Number 17A was sold for $168 million to Kenneth C. Griffin, a U.S. hedge fund manager. Jackson-pollock.org

The card players by Paul Cézanne | 210 million

This painting is the work of French painter Paul Cézanne. Paul painted it between 1893 and 1896 with oil on canvas. The work shows two men at a table, bent over their card game, oblivious to the café noise surrounding them. Cézanne painted a total of five versions of the painting, two of them with nearly identical settings. One is in the possession of the Courtauld Institute of Art in London and another in private ownership. At the time of its sale in 2011, such a high amount had never been paid for a painting.

Interchange by Willem de Kooning | 253 million

Interchange was created by Dutch painter Willem de Kooning. De Kooning's works are considered part of abstract expressionism. For a long time, the artist was known for the recognizable female figures he featured in his work. Interchange was sold for 253 million euros.

N ° 6 (Violet, Green and Red) by Mark Rothko | 157 million

Latvian-American artist Mark Rothko painted this painting in 1951. Like other works by Rothko, this work consists of six large fields of color delineated by hazy hues. In 2014, it was sold for 157 million euros to Russian businessman Dmitry Rybolovlev.