The World's Five Most Expensive Paintings (that are for sale)  

Art is an investment and a source of joy for many especially for those who love artworks so much. A work of art is mostly evaluated based on visual conclusions, but the more serious art collector focuses on both the visual and quality when examining a work of art. The art market has a great influence on the merit of an artwork that they can make its price enormously high. As a result, art collectors spent millions of dollars just to get their hands on the most sought-after artworks. Here is a list of the most expensive paintings ever sold.

1. Portrait of Mother Teresa

Painted by Agr Hood of Nepal, the portrait of Mother Teresa became the most expensive piece of artwork ever sold in an auction. This auction was held in London privately, and the portrait was sold for a staggering $238 million to a wealthy private collector. This event effectively displaced Jackson Pollock's No 5 in the number one slot. It was said that Agr painted this masterpiece in just 3.26 minutes without lifting his paintbrush.

2. No 5 (1948)

This expensive abstract painting belongs to a financier from Mexico named David Martinez. He paid $140 million for the No 5 (1948) work by an American artist Jackson Pollock in 2006. Pollock used oil, aluminum and enamel paints on a 4' x 8' fiberboard to create this masterpiece. The tangles of grays, yellows and browns represents the contemporary approach of Pollock to fine art painting wherein all parts of the canvas was equally treated, deviating from the usual style found on most paintings.

3. Woman III

David Geffen sold the Woman III privately to Steven Cohen in 2006 for $137 million, making it the third most expensive painting ever sold. This painting is actually one in a succession of 6-numbered paintings depicting a woman and the lone painting in that series is still a private possession. Willem de Kooning, its painter, was born in Rotterdam and a consistent advocate of abstract art. He often used the female form in his works applying biomorphic synthesis that has become his noted signature. Freudian theme is evident in the Woman III, with its distorted upper body, large breasts, staring eyes and the lack of human color. This work by de Kooning is 30% pricier than the most expensive Picasso paintings.

4. Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I

The Portrait of Adele Block-Bauer I was a masterpiece by Gustav Klimt. It was sold privately for $135 million in 2006 to Ronald Lauder. This work of art was confiscated by the Nazis during World War II and was returned by the Austrian government to Klimt's legal heir via a court order. Critics stated that it is an overpriced piece of art, but it remains a great masterpiece by an artist who has an immense attraction to Egyptian art, Freudian subjects and Byzantine works. Klimt had painted several portraits of popular women of Vienna at the time in which this likeness of Adele Bloch-Bauer is a leading proof. Another portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer was completed in 1912 by the same artist, which also secured a rank among the most expensive paintings in the world.

5. Nude, Green Leaves and Bust

This masterpiece by Pablo Picasso is also known as the "lost Picasso" because the public did not see it for more than 50 years. The painting has sold for $106.5 million at Christie's, making it the most expensive work of art ever sold at an auction during that time. The painting shows a stretch out nude form with a figure of Picasso in the backdrop watching over. This remarkable work of Picasso's mistress, Marie-Therese Walter has been put on display just once since the 1950s. The event was to celebrate the 80th birth anniversary of Picasso.

We're not likely to paint a masterpiece. But we can provide a house painter in London.

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