“Nafea Faa Ipoipo”

“Nafea Faa Ipoipo”

Paul Gauguin’s 1892 oil painting was sold in 2015 for nearly $300 million in a private deal brokered by a retired Sotheby’s executive. The buyer hasn’t been named, though reports indicate the Qatar Museum is the new owner.

“The Card Players”

“The Card Players”

Oil-rich Qatar also takes second place on the list after the royal family paid $259 million in 2011 to buy one of five versions of modern artist Paul Cézanne’s 1892-1893 painting of two commoners playing cards.

“Le Rêve”

“Le Rêve”

In a 2013 private sale, billionaire hedge fund manager Steven Cohen purchased Pablo Picasso’s 1932 painting for $155 million from casino owner Steven Wynn. The deal would have happened years earlier, and for $16 million less, but Wynn accidently ripped the canvas and the deal was on hold during the repair.

“Three Studies of Lucian Freud”

“Three Studies of Lucian Freud”

Christie’s New York sold Francis Bacon’s triptych for $142.4 million in 2013 to Elaine Wynn, a co-founder of the casino and the former spouse of Steven.

“No. 5, 1948”

“No. 5, 1948”

Business magnate David Geffen reportedly sold the 4×8-foot Jackson Pollock painting through Sotheby’s for $140 million in 2006 to Mexican financier David Martinez.