Andy Warhol's Most Expensive Paintings

The most expensive Warhol paintings

Andy Warhol, an iconic figure in the world of contemporary art, has left an indelible mark on the art market. With his vibrant and groundbreaking works, Warhol's pieces have commanded astronomical prices at auctions and private sales. In this article we look at the most expensive Andy Warhol paintings sold at auction. 

"The Shot Blue Marilyn" - $195.4 million USD (Christie’s, May 2022)

Perhaps one of Warhol's most famous images, "The Shot Blue Marilyn," featuring Marilyn Monroe, fetched a staggering $195.4 million USD at Christie's in May 2022. This artwork is a representation of the Hollywood legend against a serene blue backdrop, based on promotional material for her film "Niagara" (1953). 

 

"Shot" refers to when Dorothy Podber, a performance artist and friend of Factory photographer Billy Name, saw the recently completed paintings stacked against one another at the studio and asked Warhol if she could shoot them. Believing that she intended to photograph the paintings, Warhol agreed. Podber doffed her pair of black gloves, withdrew a small revolver from her purse, and fired a shot into the stack of four paintings, which became known as The Shot Marilyns. The fifth painting with the turquoise background was not in the stack.

 

 

"Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster)" - $105 million USD (Sotheby’s, 2013)

In 2013, Sotheby's witnessed the sale of "Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster)" for $105 million USD. This visually impactful piece, measuring over 2.4 metres in height, is part of Warhol's influential Death and Disaster series. It depicts a twisted body inside a damaged silver car.

 

"Eight Elvises" - $100 million USD (Private sale, 2009)

"Eight Elvises" is a silkscreen print painting from 1963 that features eight images of Elvis Presley in a single canvas. Measuring 3.6 metres in height, this unique artwork was sold privately in 2009 and is believed to have been acquired by the State of Qatar.

 

 

Triple Elvis [Ferus Type]" - $81.9 million USD (Christie’s, November 2014)

Another Elvis-themed artwork, "Triple Elvis [Ferus Type]," made its mark in November 2014 when it sold for $81.9 million USD at Christie's. This piece features three identical images of Elvis Presley and is based on a promotional image from the 1960 film "Flaming Star."

 

"Turquoise Marilyn" - $80 million USD (Private sale via Larry Gagosian, 2007)

"Turquoise Marilyn" is another masterpiece from the Shot Marilyn series, created in 1962. This silkscreen ink on synthetic polymer paint on canvas is renowned as one of Warhol's most famous images and was rumoured to have been sold to billionaire art collector Steven Cohen in 2007.

 

"Green Car Crash (Burning Green Car I)" - $71.7 million USD (Christie’s, May 2015)

Part of Warhol's Death and Destruction series, "Green Car Crash (Burning Green Car I)" is inspired by a Newsweek photograph. This artwork captures the dramatic scene of an overturned car pursued by Seattle police, with a splash of colour among Warhol's typically black-and-white works.

 

"Four Marlons" - $69.6 million USD (Christie’s, 2014)

 "Four Marlons" showcases Warhol's fascination with celebrity, featuring four impressions of Hollywood actor Marlon Brando against a black-and-white pattern. The inspiration comes from Brando's role as a biker gang leader in the film "The Wild."

 

"Men In Her Life" - $63.3 million USD (Phillips New York, November 2010)

Created in 1962, "Men in Her Life" delves into Elizabeth Taylor's relationships. It's one of the earliest silkscreen paintings by Warhol, presented in a large-scale, multi-image format.

 

"Race Riot (in Four Parts)" - £62.8 million USD (Christie’s, May 2014)

"Race Riot (in Four Parts)" was created in 1964 and is based on a photograph by Charles Moore that was featured in Life Magazine. This poignant and politically conscious artwork reflects the civil liberties struggles of African-Americans in the United States, underscoring Warhol's role as a chronicler of his era.

 

Discover our selection of Andy Warhol art for sale and contact Andipa via sales@andipa.com or cal +44 (0)20 7581 1244 for further information.

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Acoris Andipa

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