7 Most Expensive Photographs Ever Sold

Most of us are wondering how to sell our images. And then we stumble across the 7 most expensive photographs ever sold.

7. 99 Cent II Diptychon

Andreas Gursky – 2001

Below is the chromogenic colour print that was sold at Sotheby’s London in February 2007.

What did it fetch? An astounding $3,346,456.

Surely it should have ended in .99 cents.

6. Dead Troops Talk

Jeff Wall – 1992

Here is the image in question, sold as a transparency in lightbox. This went on sale at Christie’s New York in May 2012.

It made a cool $3,666,500. Go Jeff!

5. To Her Majesty

Gilbert & George – 1973

These photographic provocateurs created this installation as a Gelatin Silver print. It went under the hammer at Christie’s London in June 2008.

It made $3,765,276 ($4,971,030.33 in today’s money).

4. Untitled 96

Cindy Sherman – 1981

Cindy Sherman is no stranger to expensive prints. This one netted her a welcomed $3,890,500 when it was sold Christie’s New York in May 2011.

The image was presented as a Chromogenic colour print.

3. Spiritual America

Richard Prince – 1981

Ektacolor print. Sold at Christie’s New York in May 2014: $3,973,000

Note: This image features an undressed Brooke Shields as a child. We aren’t showing it here, so if you wish to see the photograph, you must follow this link to Christie’s website.

2. Rhein II

Andreas Gursky – 1999

Another chromogenic colour print, but this time, costing an individual $4,338,500.

Sold at Christie’s New York in November 2011, it was the most expensive print ever sold until 2014.

1. Phantom

Peter Lik – 2014

This image is a black and white print of the famous Antelope Canyon in Arizona, USA.

It is unverified, as the buyer is ‘private and anonymous’.

You may be tempted to think that Jeff Frost inched past Peter Lik by selling his image for $6.5 Million and ten cents.

Judging by his chosen counsel, it is nothing more than a prank.

The last thing I’m going to say is this: don’t be disheartened.

Yes, the images are quite interesting, but who on earth decides on these prices? Well, we do, and when I say we, I mean people.

Most of these, except for the number one spot, where sold at auction. Five out of the six were from Christie’s, leaving number 7 to Sotheby’s.

What this means is the artists don’t think they are worth this much. The people with the deep pockets decided that is how much the image is worth to them.

Author: Craig Hull