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Most Expensive Photographs ever sold

by theartwolf.com
After the lists featuring the most expensive paintings and the list of most expensive sculptures, now it is time for another Art discipline: Photography. Here is the list of the most expensive photographs ever sold. For the sake of brevity, only works with an inflation-adjusted price of more than $3 million are listed.

AuthorWorkDateOriginal PriceAdjusted Price**DescriptionImageDate of sale
Edward SteichenThe pond – moonlight1904$2,928,000$4,095,500Sotheby’s New York , February 2006
The 41 x 50.8 cm . photograph, which somehow resembles Ralph Albert Blakelock’s nightscapes, was previously in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, owner of another of the three copies of the work
steichen pond2006
Andreas Gursky99 Cent II Diptychon2001$3,346,456$4,570,500Sotheby’s London , February 2007
The sale of this colorful work was a milestone in the Art market, as it was not only the most expensive photography ever sold, but also almost triplicated the auction record for a contemporary photography.
Image © Andreas Gursky
gursky 99cent2007
Richard PrinceUntitled (cowboy)2000$3,525,000$4,078,500Christie’s New York, May 2016
One more example from the “cowboys” series by Prince
2016
Richard PrinceUntitled (cowboy)2001-2002$3,401,000$4,410,000Sotheby’s New York, May 2007
One more example from the “cowboys” series by Prince
Image © Richard Prince
Richard Prince - Untitled Cowboy - Marlboro Man2007
Jeff WallDead Troops Talk1992$3,666,500$4,434,500Christie’s New York, May 2012
This work is number one from an edition of two plus one artist’s proof.
Image © Jeff Wall
Jeff Wall - Dead Troops Talk2012
Richard PrinceUntitled (cowboy)1998$3,749,000$4,380,000Christie’s New York, May 2014
The series of “cowboys” are arguably the most famous works by one of the masters of the contemporary photography.
2014
Gilbert & GeorgeTo Her Majesty1973$3,750,000$4,763,000Christie’s London, June 2008 (GBP 1,889,250)
A work composed of thirty-seven parts commemorating evenings of drunkenness undertaken by the artists
Image © Gilbert & George via Christie's
Gilbert George - To Her Majesty2008
Cindy ShermanUntitled #931981$3,861,500$4,511,500Sotheby’s New York, May 2014
And another excellent example from Sherman’s famous “Centerfolds” series.
Image © Cindy Sherman
Cindy Sherman - Untitled 932014
Cindy ShermanUntitled #961981$3,890,500$4,785,500Christie’s New York, May 2011
An excellent example from Sherman’s famous “Centerfolds” series.
Image © Cindy Sherman
Cindy Sherman - Untitled 962011
Richard PrinceSpiritual America1983$3,973,000$4,641,800Christie’s New York , May 2014
This nude image of a prepubescent Brooke Shields is a serious contender for the “most controversial photo ever” title.
2014
Edward SteichenThe Flatiron1904$11,840,000$11,840,000Christie’s New York , November 2022
This example of "The Flatiron," one of Steichen's most iconic images, was part of Paul Allen's collection, and far surpassed its presale estimate of $2 million to $3 million
Edward Steichen - The Flatiron - 19052022
Man RayLe Violon d'Ingres1924$12,412,500$12,412,500Christie’s New York , May 2022
One of the most iconic images of Surrealism, this particular copy of "Le Violon d'Ingres" is considered an "original photographic copy", having been made at virtually the same time as its corresponding negative.
Man Ray - Le Violon dIngres - 19242022
Andreas GurskyRhein II1999$4,338,500$5,330,000Christie’s New York , November 2011
Described by Christie’s as “a breathtaking masterpiece of scale and wonderment”, the work is part of an edition of six photographs.
Image © Andreas Gursky
gursky rhein II2011

UNCONFIRMED. Peter Lik: “Phantom”
$6,500,000
Private sale, 2014
Australian landscape photographer Peter Lik claimed to have sold his work “Phantom” for $6.5 million in 2014. The claim, however, has not been confirmed.

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Most Expensive Photographs