Everyone is familiar with the name of the highly regarded and once misunderstood Dutch artist and creative force, Vincent van Gogh. The masterpieces of Van Gogh are certain to come your way, whether you’re an art fan or researcher.
Van Gogh is most known for his surreal post-Impressionistic oil paintings, but he also created numerous priceless self-portraits, portraits, and landscapes with flowers and orchards. The five most costly Van Gogh artworks are shown below, several of which were inspired by the artist’s final two years before his death. Let’s dive into and learn about the famous Van Gogh paintings list!
Gachet’s portrait cost is $82.5 million
Vincent Van Gogh’s Portrait of Dr. Gachet is regarded as the post-impressionist artist’s most costly painting. One must know some aspects of its history to understand its importance and worth properly. The last physician to treat Van Gogh was Dr. Gachet. During Van Gogh’s final years on earth, the doctor took care of him. Van Gogh painted two variations of the renowned Dr. Gachet portrait.
He created this rendition on exhibit in the Musee d’Orsay in Paris, France. Van Gogh’s Portrait of Dr. Gachet was last reportedly sold on May 15, 1990, through the Siegried Kramarsky Family. Ryoei Saito purchased it in a Christie’s auction in New York. Previously, this Vincent Van Gogh artwork fetched $75 million. It is among Van Gogh’s most outstanding works. It was painfully painted in Saints Reimy, with the doctor looking downcast.
It provides information on Van Gogh’s mental state when making the artwork. In the artwork, Gachet is seated at a table leaning on his arm, with a foxglove plant nearby—at the time, it was thought to be a remedy for heart problems. Unfortunately, Van Gogh shot himself and was later pronounced dead by Gachet.
The Portrait of Dr. Gachet represents struggle and professional accomplishment. Unfortunately, the artist’s exact thoughts on the picture are unknown to us.
Portrait de l’artiste Sans Barbe: The cost was $71.5 million
Van Gogh painted a clean-shaven self-portrait of himself in Portrait de l’artiste Sans Barbe, better known as Self Portrait without the beard. He used oil paint on canvas to make the portrait in 1889. Completed in September 1889, it is considered the artist’s final self-portrait.
Perhaps Vincent Van Gogh’s most well-known self-portrait is this one. Unfortunately, the picture was last reportedly sold on November 19, 1998. The heirs of Jacques Koefer auctioned it off for $71.5 million to an unidentified buyer at Christie’s in New York. This is the second most costly painting by Van Gogh ever sold.
A Wheat Field with Cypresses, Cost: $57 million (London Version)
Here is one of the most famous Van Gogh artworks “A Wheat Field with Cypresses”. Inspired by the scene from his room’s back window, he produced it when he was in the Arles hospital. Van Gogh was permitted to go on brief excursions outside the institution so that he could paint outside. Around the institution, cypress trees moved him.
In his opinion, the tree represented the emotions he was experiencing, attempting to capture that aspect in the artwork. He produced three more since he was so pleased with the final product. The son of Emil Georg Buhrle sold the Wheat Field with Cypresses for $57 million in May 1993. It was bought in a non-public auction by Walter H. Annenberg.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art owns the picture he bought for them. The painting was created while he was going through a period of healing from his afflictions.
Vincent Van Gogh’s portrayal of Joseph Roulin Price: $58 million plus compensation for further works
This is one of several works of art the artist created for the client and his family. Although Vincent was most recognized for his landscape paintings, he also loved to depict people’s faces. He shared his enthusiasm with people in his day, and they disseminated tales about his genuine interests across the decades.
Joseph Roulin worked as a postal worker to support himself while residing in Arles. A private collector who wishes to remain unnamed owned the picture in Zurich, Switzerland. On August 1, 1989, a private sale of the artwork to the Museum of Modern Art in New York sealed the transaction.
Vincent Van Gogh’s Irises Cost: $53.9 million
Irises is the fifth most expensive artwork by Van Gogh ever to be auctioned. This masterwork was one of a group of works that Vincent completed just before his death in 1890. The artwork was finished at Saint Remy de Provence’s Saint Paul de Mausole asylum, France, Van Gogh’s abode.
Irises were a special favorite of Van Gogh’s, and he painted several pieces with them. It is generally accepted that he was drawn to the flower because of its symbolic meaning and therapeutic capabilities. Since Van Gogh suffered from several illnesses during his life, it would make sense that he would be drawn to a sign of hope.
Before her son sold the artwork, philanthropist Joan Whitney Payson was the original owner. Following the New York Times, on November 11, 1987, Alan Bond paid $53.9 million for the artwork at Sotheby’s New York.
Conclusion
Van Gogh is genuinely one of the most well-known Dutch artists in history due to his amazing pieces that have earned enormous sums of money. Unfortunately, Van Gogh struggled with both periods of artistic genius and frequent mental breakdowns in his lifetime. As a result, his life plans didn’t pan out. Throughout his life, he battled physical issues and failed to succeed in his creative endeavors.
The beauty and significance of his creation would not be appreciated until after his passing, even though it is rich with symbolism for the raw emotion he possessed. We may relate to his work’s feelings of isolation and injustice. The meager painter who only ever sold a few works would be happy with the millions they fetch now.
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