Top most expensive paintings in the world

Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci Price Paid for Painting: $450 million

Salvator Mundi sold for a little over $450 million ( $450.3 million ) at a Christie’s auction in 2017 to an anonymous buyer. The New York Times reported the buyer was acting for a Saudi prince, Bader bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan al-Saud—the painting has since been under the ownership of the Saudi Arabian culture ministry.

Salvator Mundi, translated to “Savior of the World,” is not only the world's most expensive painting—it's possibly the most controversial painting, as well. Many scholars doubt that the work was entirely done by Leonardo da Vinci, citing the overall composition doesn't align completely with da Vinci's style. One analysis conducted by the Louvre in 2018 concluded the picture slowly evolved with Leonardo adding the hands and arms later.