40 Famous Paintings That Made History And Cost A Crazy Fortune

Van Gogh’s swirling night sky isn’t just pretty - it’s a $100 million superstar. Painted from a window in a monastery, this beauty lives safe and sound at New York’s Museum of Modern Art.

Not your usual painting - it’s a woodblock print with tons of copies floating around. But one rare version sold for $2.75 million in 2023, proving waves can totally make a splash in the art world.

Picture a chill Sunday afternoon in Paris, full of dancing and fun. Renoir made that vibe into a painting that sold for a whopping $78 million back in 1990 - talk about a party!

Van Gogh painted these beautiful flowers while staying in an asylum, creating one of his most famous works. It sold for nearly $54 million in 1987 and now stays put in the J. Paul Getty Museum.

Rembrandt painted this epic scene of Jesus calming a storm when he was just 29. Worth over $100 million, it’s sadly still missing after being stolen in 1990 - such a bummer!

Known as the "Mona Lisa of the North," this mysterious girl stole hearts (and millions) over the years. It’s safely displayed in the Netherlands and insured for a jaw-dropping $195 million.

Not the priciest Klimt, but probably his most famous. This glittery love scene made waves when it was sold unfinished for what feels like pocket change today - just $200,000 back then!

Monet made haystacks look like a million bucks - literally! One from his 25-piece series sold for $110 million in 2019, setting auction records for an Impressionist piece.

At 30 years old, Rembrandt painted this powerful self-portrait. The Rijksmuseum swooped in with $198 million to keep it in the family, and honestly, it’s worth every penny.

This pointillism masterpiece is made up of tiny dots that come together to create a chill day at the park. It's worth an eye-popping $650 million and chills at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Van Gogh’s sunflowers might’ve been overlooked in his lifetime, but now this bright bunch is worth a cool $40 million+. Proof that good things come to those who wait - or in this case, lots of yellow petals.

England’s countryside never looked so charming. This rural scene is a big deal in British art and probably worth a fortune, hanging out at London’s National Gallery.

Da Vinci’s ultimate dinner party scene is priceless and can’t be bought or moved. It sits quietly in a Milan convent, reminding us all to keep an eye on who’s really eating the bread.

Say her name: Mona Lisa. Her mysterious smile is insured for over a billion dollars - yep, you read that right. She’s been chilling at the Louvre since forever and is still the queen of art.

Spain’s priceless treasure, Las Meninas, is like a royal family portrait on steroids. It’s got mystery, drama, and serious art-star status, housed in Madrid’s Museo del Prado.

Turner’s peaceful ship sunset won hearts and a "UK’s favorite painting" title. He kept this one, but his other piece once sold for $47 million - so this beauty’s worth a ton, no doubt.

This painting literally kicked off the Impressionist movement and is super valuable (think $250 million-ish). It stays put in a Paris museum where it’s adored by all art fans.

Super detailed and packed with hidden symbols, this old-school masterpiece was snatched up by the National Gallery in London for just £600 back in the day. Now it’s absolutely priceless!

Mystery, colors, and crazy textures make this Renaissance painting amazing. Bought by London’s National Gallery for tons of cash back in 1890, it still wows art fans today.

Van Gogh’s honest take on hard-working peasants made this painting famous. The original is priceless in Amsterdam, but a copy sold for over $5 million - not bad for some potatoes!

This shiny golden portrait is Klimt’s superstar work from his “golden phase.” It sold for $135 million in 2006 and now dazzles at New York’s Neue Galerie.

Not just a doctor, but Van Gogh’s doctor. This touching portrait sold for $83 million in 1990, showing the human side behind the artist’s troubled years.

The ultimate expressionist freak-out sold for almost $120 million in 2012. It’s been stolen, recovered, and now sits haunting us in Norway.

Cezanne’s mountain changed art forever and sold for a jaw-dropping $138 million. Once owned by Paul Allen, it’s now a legend in modern painting.

Manet’s final big hit before he passed away, and an early colorful portrait. Sold for $65 million in 2014, it’s one to remember.

Rousseau’s dreamy desert scene was hated at first, but now it’s a modern icon. It’s priceless at New York’s MoMA and worth over $100 million if it ever sells.

Gauguin’s tropical love question sold for a cool $210 million in 2015. Like Van Gogh, he wasn’t famous while alive but became a mega-star after that.

Da Vinci strikes again with this 16th-century masterpiece that sold for a crazy $450 million in 2017 - the most expensive painting EVER at auction.

Rembrandt’s couple goals! These rare full-length portraits were bought together by two museums for $244 million, and yes, they’re always shown side by side.

Klimt’s second portrait of Adele is a golden beauty valued at over $195 million today. It doubled in price from $87 million when Oprah bought it to almost $180 million later - talk about investment!

Picasso’s Blue Period masterpiece sold for a whopping $104 million in 2004, setting a new auction record back then. It’s haunting and beautiful all at once.

Starting the formal standing-portrait style, this armor-clad dude sold for $70 million in 1990 and ended up at the Getty Museum. Definitely fancy armor for a fancy price!

Half a millennium old but still looking fresh, Botticelli’s portrait sold for $92 million in 2021 - making it the priciest Renaissance painting at auction then.

Chinese artist Qi Baishi soared when his Eagle on Pine Tree sold for $65 million in 2017, making it China’s second most expensive artwork ever. Not bad for some feathers and pine needles!

That famous serious couple with a pitchfork only won a $300 prize when it showed up. Now it’s America’s biggest 20th-century painting icon and worth millions, no doubt.

Van Gogh painted this friendly postman while at the asylum to practice his style. It sold for $58 million in 1989 and now lives at New York's MoMA.

Picasso’s self-portrait from his colorful Rose Period sold for $40 million in 1989 - now that’s what we call a glow-up in price!

This classic “Victorian Mona Lisa” of a mom is priceless and has been the ultimate symbol of motherhood since it landed in Paris’ Musée d’Orsay.

With this and a few others, Pontormo kicked off Mannerist portraits. This one sold for $35 million in 1989 and is known for its stylish vibe.

This abstract Russian masterpiece sold for $86 million in 2018, setting a record for Russian art. It’s basically the Picasso of Russia’s art scene.