Rating of 500 Most Expensive Masterpieces in the World
Alpina Business Books has released the "Works of Art Investments Guide," the first ever rating of 500 of the most expensive paintings and the most "valuable" artists published in Russian. The book also contains descriptions of factors that determine the high price of the masterpieces. The "Works of Art Investments Guide" is the first book on art designed for professional investors, which contains financial analysis of the art market as an object for efficient capital investments.
Buying art is one of the oldest forms of investment. Wealthy people and specially created funds were buying and selling paintings, sculptures and tapestries long before the advent of railroad shares and speculation on tulip bulbs. The guide covers works of art that are of investment quality, i.e. the paintings and sculptures that cost the same or more than the painting holding the 500th place in the rating of the most expensive works by Kunst Asset Management GmbH ($5 947 393 on Sept. 1, 2005).
The book gives many curious facts and observations. For instance, the rating of the 500 most expensive works of art includes 65 of Pablo Picasso's paintings, which have a total nominal value of $1.1 bln (almost 18% the value of the rest of masterpieces). Claude Monet has one more work than Picasso in the list and holds second place with a total nominal value of $709 mln for 66 paintings.
Buying art is one of the oldest forms of investment. Wealthy people and specially created funds were buying and selling paintings, sculptures and tapestries long before the advent of railroad shares and speculation on tulip bulbs. The guide covers works of art that are of investment quality, i.e. the paintings and sculptures that cost the same or more than the painting holding the 500th place in the rating of the most expensive works by Kunst Asset Management GmbH ($5 947 393 on Sept. 1, 2005).
The book gives many curious facts and observations. For instance, the rating of the 500 most expensive works of art includes 65 of Pablo Picasso's paintings, which have a total nominal value of $1.1 bln (almost 18% the value of the rest of masterpieces). Claude Monet has one more work than Picasso in the list and holds second place with a total nominal value of $709 mln for 66 paintings.
