Almost anyone these days can take tons of tphotos using a smartphone or a tablet, so our modern culture might not be paying too much attention to photographs compared to fame they reveived even a few decades ago. Today tablets and smartphones can take breathtaking pictures of outstanding quality; thus they are always present in most events, family reunions and vacations.
However, photography is still an art—and based on the prices of some photos, it can even be a very pricey craft. Would you pay, for example, $100,000 for a single photo? How about a million dollars for one picture? Here is a list of the priciest photographs ever sold in the world, getting millions of dollars in various auctions through the years.
10. Billy the Kid (1880) – $2.3 million
Photographer: Unkown
One of the most popular and costliest pictures of all time is this iconic photo of a young and famous outlaw who resided in the American West. This is the only known photo of Billy the Kid, who had murdered about 20 men even before he had reached the age of 21. He became notorious during his short but very busy career as a gunslinger and an outlaw.
Many film aficionados may have attached the face of Hollywood actor Emilio Estevez to this legendary outlaw because of the former’s Young Guns films. However, the real outlaw will forever be immortalized by this photo taken by an anonymous photographer in 1880. The price for this photo? $2.3 million.
9. Untitled #153 (1985) – $2.7 million
Photographer: Cindy Sherman
A photograph that has been renowned by many as a masterpiece, Untitled 153 is a haunting portrait that could be mistaken for an image straight from a crime scene.
8. The Pond/Moonlight (1904) – $2.9 million
Photographer: Edward Steichen
The Pond/Moonlight is a photograph taken by by Edward Steichen in the State of New York in 1904. This well-known and unique photo shows a forest sitting across from a pond, with the moon just barely visible through the trees.
The Pond is so popular by aficionados in the photography world, not just because it is among the first color photographs; it is also among the first color photos that were widely distributed. It is also very prominent for its uniqueness. Only three versions of this photo exist; no wonder why the value of each photo greatly increased. One of the three versions got sold for a whopping $2.9 million back in 2006. At that time, it was the most expensive photo, although other photos have been bought since then with much higher prices. It is still not known how costly the other versions will be, but it is most likely they will be sold at much higher prices (both photos are currently being held in a museum).
7. Los Angeles (1998) – $2.9 million
Photographer: Andreas Gursky
This is something that could have come out of a sci-fi film. The image taken by famed photographer Andreas Gursky, showing the grid-like outstanding lightning patters of Los Angeles, was bought for a mind-numbing price of 2.9 million dollars.
6. 99 Cent II, Diptychon (2001) – $3.3 million
Photographer: Andreas Gursky
Gursky has another of his photos on this list. In fact, two photos from this famous photographer are in the sixth spot. Both photos show a supermarket of various goods being sold, but the photographer heavily modified both works. Both works, which are very expensive, measured almost seven by 11 feet.
The first, which he called 99 Cent II, was the first photo to have been sold for more than three million dollars back in 2007.
5. Untitled (Cowboy)(1989) – $3.4 million
Photographer: Richard Prince
An unknown cowboy was photographed in action, as he uses his rope to catch a horse. The photo, complete with an amazing backdrop of a clear bright sky and disheveled clouds, earned famous photographer Richard Prince a cool 3.4 million dollars.
4. Dead Troops Talk (1992) – $3.7 million
Photographer: Jeff Wall
The photograph, named Dead Troops Talk and taken by photographer Jeff Wall back in 1992 is unique and much talked about as it has been staged. Wall had been also known for previous photo setups. For this picture, Wall chose to depict the grisly ambush of a Russian contingent during the 1988 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. He set up a number of “dead soldiers” to make them appear as if they are talking, possibly to have statement echoing Wall’s view about the invasion of Afghanistan. Wall’s unique and creative ideas reflected in the photo were among the biggest reasons why this portrait got 3.7 million dollars at an auction.
3. For Her Majesty (1973) – $3.7 million
Photographer: Gilbert & George
Gilbert & George have made an outstanding photography career taking photos that discuss various topics in the world. They sold their priciest piece when their photo “For Her Majesty” got a staggering price of 3.7 million dollars at Sothesby’s back in June 2008.
2. Untitled #96 (1981) – $3.9 million
Photographer: Cindy Sherman
Sherman’s self-portrait, portraying a very young 70s teenager that is looking mysteriously adrift, was purchased for a whopping 3.9 million dollars back in 2011, making it one of the most expensive photos in the world, second only to the number one in this list.
1. Rhein II (1999) – $4.3 million
Photographer: Andreas Gursky
Trumping the record set by photographer Cindy Sherman in 2011, Andreas Gursky cements his stellar status atop this very exclusive group of photographers with his amazing photograph of the Rhine River: the fourth photo he has taken on this list, purchased for 4.3 million dollars in 2011.
Rhein II is now considered the priciest photograph of all time. There were some issues regarding the photo, which measures 73 by 143 inches, because it was heavily modified. In the original photo, there were some people and a building, which Gursky decided to digitally remove so that his photo will have a more natural view of the river.
What makes a photograph valuable?
The value of a photograph can be influenced by several key factors beyond the image itself. Here are the main contributors to a photograph’s value:
- Rarity: Limited editions or unique prints can significantly increase a photograph’s value. When a photographer produces only a few copies of a work, its scarcity can make it more desirable to collectors.
- Artist Reputation: The reputation and accomplishments of the photographer play a crucial role. Renowned photographers with established careers and historical significance, like Ansel Adams or Cindy Sherman, typically see higher prices for their work due to their recognition in the art community.
- Historical Significance: Photographs that capture pivotal historical moments or reflect important cultural movements tend to hold greater value. For instance, iconic images from major events like the moon landing or significant social movements often fetch high prices.
- Condition and Provenance: A photograph’s physical condition and documented history (provenance) can impact its value. Well-preserved pieces with clear ownership histories are generally more sought after.
- Market Trends: The art market is influenced by trends, which can affect pricing. Demand for specific styles, subjects, or artists can fluctuate, making some photographs more valuable during particular periods.
Key Insights
- High Value of Photography: Despite the ubiquity of digital photography, certain photographs remain highly valuable, fetching millions of dollars at auctions.
- Historical and Cultural Significance: The value of these photographs often lies in their historical and cultural significance, such as the only known photo of Billy the Kid or the staged “Dead Troops Talk” by Jeff Wall.
- Artistic Merit: The artistic vision and execution of photographers like Andreas Gursky and Cindy Sherman contribute significantly to the high value of their works.
- Scarcity and Uniqueness: The rarity of certain photographs, such as “The Pond/Moonlight” by Edward Steichen, which has only three known versions, drives up their value.
- Technological and Creative Techniques: Many of these high-value photographs involve advanced technological and creative techniques, including staging and digital manipulation.
FAQ
- Why are some photographs so expensive? The high value of certain photographs is due to a combination of factors, including their historical and cultural significance, artistic merit, rarity, and the technological or creative techniques used in their creation.
- What makes a photograph historically significant? A photograph can be historically significant if it captures a notable moment in history, portrays a famous figure, or represents a particular period or event in a unique way.
- How does the rarity of a photograph affect its value? The rarity of a photograph greatly affects its value. Limited editions or unique prints are often more valuable because they are scarce and highly sought after by collectors.
- What role does the photographer’s reputation play in the value of a photograph? The reputation and status of the photographer can significantly influence the value of a photograph. Renowned photographers like Andreas Gursky and Cindy Sherman have established themselves as artists whose works are highly coveted.
- Are digitally manipulated photographs considered valuable? Yes, digitally manipulated photographs can be very valuable. The manipulation can enhance the artistic vision of the photographer, as seen in Andreas Gursky’s “Rhein II,” where digital alterations contributed to its appeal and value.
- What are some examples of historical photographs that are highly valuable? Examples include the only known photo of Billy the Kid, Edward Steichen’s “The Pond/Moonlight,” and Jeff Wall’s staged photograph “Dead Troops Talk.”
- Can modern digital photographs achieve high auction prices? Yes, modern digital photographs can achieve high auction prices, especially if they are created by renowned photographers and possess unique artistic qualities or cultural significance.
- How do auction houses determine the starting price for a photograph? Auction houses determine the starting price based on factors such as the photographer’s reputation, the photograph’s historical significance, rarity, previous sales of similar works, and the current market demand for fine art photography.
- Are there any contemporary photographers whose works are expected to become valuable? Contemporary photographers who push the boundaries of the medium and gain recognition in the art world, such as those who win prestigious awards or have exhibitions in major galleries, are likely to see their works increase in value over time.
- What should collectors consider when investing in high-value photographs? Collectors should consider the photograph’s provenance, the reputation of the photographer, the rarity of the print, the condition of the photograph, and its historical or cultural significance. Additionally, seeking advice from experts and understanding the market trends can be beneficial.
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Photographer Peter Lik sold the most expensive photo for $6.5 million in 2014 in his Beverly Hills gallery. Although it is true that it was a private collector, it is FALSE that it was not verified.
It was verified by the collector's lawyer Joshua Roth in Los Angeles and as a courtesy it was shown at the Schnitzer Museum at the University of Oregon for a few months as an agreement to verify it's authenticity.
See the photograph of Ty Cobb sliding into 3rd base with the dirt exploding up and out toward the camera...It is an iconic baseball shot. The photographer had a tripod. When he saw that Cobb was going to slide he moved to avoid any untoward damage Cobb might inflict...accidentally or on purpose.
“Apparitions within an apparition”
Moment in time captured at a very significant time!
Enjoy :)
First to pay £1milliom gets exclusive ownership and rights of this photo! Good luck being the first
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