Do you know what are the most expensive Van Gogh paintings? The breathtaking sunflowers or his famous self-portrait that depicts one suffered, yet passionate soul? Although we will discuss later in the article about Van Gogh paintings that for some reason or another were priced higher than all of the others, we must say that none of his paintings deserves a price tag. I hope that art lovers across the world will agree with me on this, since there can be no price on life, and all Van Gogh paintings were his life, as all came from the deepest, most hidden and sensitive corridors of his soul. Not a single Van Gogh piece lacks passion, love, true devotion, that eternal flame that we all have in ourselves, but only a few of us use its power.
“There may be a great fire in our soul, yet no one ever comes to warm himself at it, and the passers-by see only a wisp of smoke.” – Vincent van Gogh
This world-renowned painter, who created many masterpieces, providing the world with one of the greatest gifts – the gift of true art, never dreamed during his lifetime that his paintings would end up being among the most expensive paintings in the world. And how could he? His life was a constant battle for survival and the only thing that kept him alive was his art.
Every artist needs a form of recognition. This phrase, perhaps sounding shallow at first glance, has a hidden depth. Van Gogh, as any true painter, yearned for a connection, for the sense of belonging somewhere. It was not the fame he was longing for, it was not the money, it was only a recognition of his great fire, which was ironically disregarded as a mere wisp of smoke.
“I wish they would only take me as I am.” – Vincent van Gogh
Most of the people are fairly familiar with Van Gogh’s tragic story, and he is most often exemplified as that of an artist who gained recognition only after his death. A story that provides a great comfort to many lonely artists, who struggle to find their path in life, never giving up on their ideas and talents, having the faith of being just another person ahead of their time.
One must wonder – did Van Gogh’s tragic life story had an influence on his acceptance that came soon after he took his last breath? And if so, does that mean that people really needed an interpretation of his art, a portrait of the artist in order to understand the beauty of his colors? If his story never came to the public eye, would his paintings now be rotting away in some basement, never recognized, left to die, tragically as the artist? Who knows.
Fortunately, although too late for Van Gogh himself, the world has recognized the true value of his art. He may have departed from this world in despair, but those in despair today can find solace in the paintings that he left behind; they who seek comfort in the beauty of true art.
If you like art as much as I do, don’t skip reading about 12 Famous Paintings with The Stories Behind Them, two from this list are found there as well.
In order to find Van Gogh’s masterpieces that have reached the highest prices we browsed the Internet and found a few sources that were discussing the same topic, such as VanGoghStudio, and WideWalls, to name a few. We checked each painting, individually, to confirm those price tags, and provided the links to those sources that we could find in the descriptions. Paintings are ranked from the lowest to the highest priced, according to inflation-adjusted prices, but we are also providing you with the data of original prices at the time.
Are you ready for a magic art journey through some of Van Gogh’s amazing art pieces? Let’s begin with the countdown of most expensive Van Gogh paintings then!
8. Les Alyscamps
Sold for $66 million (original price at the time $66.3 million)
Painted in 1888
We’ll start our list of most expensive Van Gogh paintings with maybe one of the lesser known pieces by Van Gogh, named Les Alyscamps, which actually represents a pair of paintings. Back in 2003, one of the paintings from this series was sold for $11.77 million, but, another one, auctioned in May last year, reached an amazing $66 million. The picture depicts the beauty of the autumn colors of poplars in the Alyscamps, an ancient Roman necropolis in Arles, aligned with stone sarcophagi. What is interesting about this painting is that it was created during the period when Van Gogh worked together with Paul Gauguin, who also has created his version of Les Alyscamps.
7. Peasant Woman Against a Background of Wheat
Sold for around $80 million (original price at the time $47.5 million)
Painted in 1890
There are several versions of this painting, as Van Gogh was often inspired by peasant motives. What is interesting about this painting that ranks 7th on our list of most expensive Van Gogh paintings is the time it was created. According to some personal letters, at that time Van Gogh was feeling surprisingly well, until he heard about the illness that his sister-in-law and nephew had caught. He painted the painting around the time he heard the news, feeling devastated yet again. In my personal opinion, the painting is simply breathing with melancholy. Those who have had the luck to admire this masterpiece in person explain that he used so much paint (thick layers) that the woman’s face almost looks three-dimensional. Powerful.
6. Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers
Sold for around $83.6 million (original price at the time $39.9 million)
Painted in 1888
I guess that the first association that people have when they hear the name Van Gogh are sunflowers, and perhaps even the other way around (at least art enthusiasts). This is one of the most famous and recognizable paintings by Van Gogh. If you are familiar with his work, then you know that this one that ranks 6th on our list of most expensive Van Gogh paintings is only one from his Sunflower series (total of 12 canvases). When he started painting this passionate looking flower, Van Gogh very soon realized that there is something special about “his sunflowers”, and that they can be his trademark. The famous painter and his friend, Paul Gauguin, was truly fascinated by them, and even asked for one as a gift. We all experience art in a different way, and as for Van Gogh those paintings from the Sunflower series simply “communicated gratitude”.
5. A Wheatfield with Cypresses
Sold for around $90.7 million (original price at the time $57 million)
Painted in 1889
This is another painting that comes from a series on our list of most expensive Van Gogh paintings, this time it’s from the Wheat field series (three paintings, very similar). This beautiful landscape perfectly depicts Van Gogh’s perception of nature and his character – that inner flame we talked about in the introductory part. With barely a few straight lines, the image is very dynamic.
4. Self-portrait without a beard
Sold for around $105.1 million (original price at the time $71.5 million)
Painted in 1889
This is one of the last paintings Van Gogh created, only a few months before he committed suicide. The irony is that this was a gift for his mother that was supposed to show her he was doing fine. If you still think that Van Gogh in this painting actually looks alright, just remember that only a year earlier, he had cut his ear off, which is why here he has painted only his left side. It was sold for around $105.1 million, making it one of the most expensive Van Gogh paintings.
3. Irises
Sold for around $113.6 million (original price at the time $53.9 million)
Painted in 1889
This one on our list of most expensive Van Gogh paintings is one of the many (around 130) painting Van Gogh breathed to life during his days in an asylum in Saint-Remy, France. His brother Theo, who was his only support in life, immediately perceived the power this painting possesses “”[It] strikes the eye from afar. It is a beautiful study full of air and life”. What makes it special is the uniqueness of each iris, which perfectly depicts Van Gogh’s admiration for nature. To create this beautiful masterpiece, he must have been carefully observing the flowers for a long time. This is one of many Van Gogh’s paintings that fully portrays his great and sincere appreciation for nature.
2. Portrait of Joseph Roulin
Sold for around $115.9 million (original price at the time $58 million + exchange of works)
Painted in 1889
Van Gogh became friend with Joseph Roulin, a postmaster at the station in Arles, after visiting the station so many times, when sending paintings to his brother Theo. He grabbed the opportunity not to paint only this interesting figure, but his entire family. He painted many Joseph Roulin and his family portraits, but only one caught great attention. Van Gogh was also thrilled about it, thinking how the painting truly brings Joseph’s character. And now, let’s see the number one on our list of most expensive Van Gogh paintings.
1. Portrait of Dr. Gachet
Sold for around $151.2 million (original price at the time $82.5 million)
Painted in 1890
The most expensive Van Gogh painting ever sold, is yet another portrait – Portrait of Dr.Gachet. This one had the most interesting story behind it, because of the controversy of the subject painted. In case you didn’t know, Dr. Gachet was Van Gogh’s doctor who was helping him after he left the asylum, in the last months of his life. Many blame Dr. Gachet for Van Gogh’s suicide, as Van Gogh once wrote to his brother Theo that Dr. Gaceht couldn’t be trusted in the sense that “one blind man was leading the other”. And, we can all see that depression dominates this portrait. But, on the other side, he also wrote that he sees Dr. Gachet as a true friend, almost as a brother. Van Gogh painted two portraits of his interesting doctor, and one has risen above all the other at least when it comes to the price tag. Is it because of the controversy? Because it is one of the last Van Gogh’s paintings? Or is it because of the true power of emotions it narrates?
