The most valuable artworks in the world

As part of our exploration of the most valuable artworks in the world, we wanted to see which countries have produced the most valuable artists.

The 152 most valuable artworks were completed by 55 different artists – among them are 16 with American nationality, 10 with French nationality and 7 with British nationality. So it is no wonder the American Jasper Johns is the living artist with the most pieces (6 artworks). But if we look at the individual artists: Pablo Picasso holds the record on the list with 18 artworks – who is also the only artist with Spanish nationality. From the three Dutch artists, the famous Vincent van Gogh comes in at number two with 11 of the most valuable artworks. The bronze medal goes to American artist Andy Warhol with 8 artworks at the table.

Three artists on the list are from Germany, including Leipzig’s very own Neo Rauch, one of the pioneers of Leipzig’s art revival. See the shortened data table.

Leipzig is a kaleidoscope of art and culture. To support this, Leipzig International Art Programme (LIA) nurtures emerging talents from around the world. This nonprofit residency initiative offers artists spacious studios, cultural support, and the opportunity to showcase their creations at the iconic Spinnerei Art Centre. In 2023, artists from the US, Australia, Japan, Vietnam, Czech Republic, Korea, UK, Finland, Sweden and Norway became part of the programme. LIA itself is located in the Spinnerei Art Centre – the epicentre of contemporary art in Leipzig. Here, it connects young artists with Leipzig's art community. With over 100 studios, eleven galleries, and additional exhibition spaces, it stands as a testament to the city's artistic vitality.

Visitors can join tours of the space during the Spinnerei Spring-, Autumn- and Winter Tours, where they can experience unique perspectives on contemporary art.

Discover how a cotton mill was transformed into a cultural treasure trove, at Leipzig's Spinnerei Art Centre – ‘From Cotton to Culture’.

None of the most valuable artworks in the world were created by women.

But what is value? Is it only financial – or is it personal, cultural, societal – something more lasting, powerful, and permanent? Until the early 20th century, women were not allowed to attend art school. Before then, only wealthy families could afford to pay for their daughters to study painting if they wished. As a result, their influence on art was limited to modelling for male artists or intervening in their artistic careers in other ways. The influence of women on art can best be seen in the table through the work of the artist Pablo Picasso. His wives, whom he often portrayed, influenced many of his works.

How many women would have been on the list if the social conditions had been different? We want to acknowledge the women who have continued to make profound and lasting contributions to the art world throughout history.

Leipzig's historical significance as the cradle of the German women's movement is undeniable. This is where prominent names like Louise Otto-Peters, Auguste Schmidt, and Henriette Goldschmidt pioneered women's rights activism in the 19th century. The city played a pivotal role in convening the first all-German women's assembly in October 1865, leading to the establishment of the General German Women's Association. Today, Leipzig continues to celebrate the legacy of female empowerment. In the art world, Rosa Loy (associated with the New Leipzig School) stands out as a significant figure. Her paintings explore the mysteries of femininity and new romanticism, drawing on the rich tradition of Saxon painting.  Rosa Loy's work delves into womens’ traditional wisdom, encapsulating the essence of new femininity and the enigmatic world it entails. Her artistic repertoire spans casein on canvas, various paper techniques, and graphic arts. Born in Zwickau and raised in Leipzig, Loy honed her craft at the Leipzig Academy of Fine Arts (HGB) – and has called Leipzig her creative home.

The Spinnerei Art Centre houses the She BAM! gallery, a celebration of women in the arts. Laetitia Gorsy, the driving force behind She BAM!, empowers creative women while pioneering art consulting, innovation in the art industry, and various art practices. This gallery amplifies the voices of female artists, embodying Leipzig's commitment to inclusivity and artistic innovation. Explore the world of She BAM! on Instagram and immerse yourself in women's empowerment and artistic expression in Leipzig.

From 17 November 2023 until 17 March 2024 the Museum of Fine Arts Leipzig presents a a special exhibition about Evelyn Richter (1930-2021), who studied photography at the Leipzig Academy of Fine Arts. The show comprises around 300 works and focuses especially on the artist's role as a photobook artist. The new exhibition “Evelyn Richter. A Photographer’s Life” also includes works by her girlfriends and fellow-artists Eva Wagner-Zimmermann, Ursula Arnold and Christa Sammler. Their different life paths are explored and put into context to address the question of how women of their generation were able to become established artists.

And did you know that Bertha Wehnert-Beckmann (1815-1901) was Europe’s first professional female photographer, who lived and worked in Leipzig, too?

Our exploration of the most valuable artworks in the world only revealed ten living artists amongst the list – two of whom are German, born in Saxony.

The term ‘Leipzig School of painting’ originates from its close link to the Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig (HGB), which in 1961 established a painting class. HGB, one of Germany's oldest art schools founded in 1764, is made up of four specialized colleges in fine arts, graphic design, photography, and new media art. This institution has nurtured a lineage of successful artists, elevating Leipzig to a respected center of visual art – particularly during the GDR era.

The Leipzig School, a modern painting movement spanning the 1960s to 1980s, was initiated by artists primarily based in Leipzig. Following the political shift of 1989, the term ‘New Leipzig School’ emerged, signifying the third-generation students' creative contributions.

Once Europe's largest cotton mill, the Spinnerei ceased production in 1992. Two years later, it welcomed its first art studios and galleries, with Neo Rauch among the pioneering artists. Today, the Spinnerei has 11 galleries and over 100 art studios.

Rauch's artistic journey began with studies at HGB, where he subsequently served as a Master student under the guidance of Professor Arno Rink (1981–1986) and Professor Bernhard Heisig (1986–1990). Post-GDR, Rauch worked as an assistant at the Leipziger Academy and played a pivotal role in events like EASTinternational in 2004. From 2005 to 2009, he held a professorship at HGB, leaving a lasting impact.

Leipzig's cultural offering extends to institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts (MdbK), featuring over 10,000 m2 of exhibition space and a rich collection of paintings and sculptures, including works from Neo Rauch. Contemporary painting enthusiasts can explore the G2 Kunsthalle, a private collection open to the public, which showcases works by Neo Rauch and other local artists, contributing to Leipzig's contemporary art scene. The GRASSI Museum of Applied Arts is one of the leading houses of design and applied arts in Europe – ranging from crafts to design, photography and architecture.

Every art enthusiast visiting Leipzig should plan enough time to explore the many unique museums.