To many, art is always associated with luxury and a sense of elitism; the price attached to a painting can therefore sometimes speak for itself. Not all expensive paintings are either complexly or intricately designed. The most sought-after pieces within the artsy world are sometimes those that outwardly seem not to contain much colloquially referred to as the easily famous paintings. Chosen highly valued works vary from minimalistic abstracts to photorealistic representations of everyday objects.

The following is a closer look at very expensive paintings from around the world, ones that seem simple yet reveal an important aesthetic function to those appreciative of the arts.

1."White on White" by KAZIMIR MALEVICH

white on white

"White on White" is an abstract painting that, to the raw eye, looks quite simple, but to the world of art, means so many things. This painting was part of the Suprematist movement, which Malevich founded, and which insisted upon the use of geometric shapes, laying much emphasis on pure feeling rather than the description of color. A white square atop a greater white square, on a white background, seems simple; still, this is considered a revolutionary change in art history. After all, the $60.5 million it fetched in 2018 made it one of the most expensive works ever sold by a Russian artist.

2."Violet, Green and Red" by MARK ROTHKO

Violet, Green and Red 1951

"Violet, Green and Red" is a perfect example of his style of color field painting, characterized by huge, flat areas of color intended to engage the viewer in a meditative experience. Three variously colored rectangles-violet, green, and red are set vertically against the white background. At first glance, perhaps it looks unsophisticated, but the colors and the way they interact with each other is a powerful visual tool of their relationship. In 2014, the painting sold for an astonishing $186 million at auction, making it one of the most expensive paintings in the world. What gives this painting its extraordinary value is not a subject or any technique used while laying the paint on the piece; rather, the way in which one can create an emotional impact, even transcendent in effect, using color in these specific ways.

3."Several Circles" by WASSILY KANDINSKY

several circles

"Several Circles" is an abstract painting by Wassily Kandinsky. It is actually quite simple at first sight; however, it has a rather complex composition with colors. Kandinsky has been known as one of the greatest pioneers of completely abstract painting. His works range from geometrical shapes to all kinds of bright colors. "Several Circles" does not happen to be an exception to this several circles of different diameters and colors, are placed haphazardly. Nevertheless, every circle is placed with due care and consideration in order to maintain the needed balance and harmony within the painting. It was auctioned in 2018 for 16.3 million dollars; one can thus guess how highly appreciated this work is among Kandinsky's creations. This painting showcases Kandinsky's mastery of painting techniques and his ability to create a seemingly simple composition that is layered with meaning and depth.

4."No. 14," by MARK ROTHKO

No. 14

Mark Rothko's painting, "No. 14," is typical of his unique style, using broad fields of color with hazy, horizontal lines. In this painting, he had a richly textured and layered red background, while two vertical rectangles floated in the middle in much darker colors. The simplicity of the painting belies the fact that Rothko's paintings are often emotionally deep and can lead one into long states of contemplation. The record has been set for Rothko's "No. 14" since it fetched a huge price of $86.9 million at Christie's in 2012. All this speaks volumes about the eternal appeal and value of Rothko's works that go on to captivate art collectors and enthusiasts.

5.“Nu couché (sur le côté gauche)” by AMEDEO MODIGLIANI

Nu Couche

Amedeo Modigliani's "Nude Looking Over Her Right Shoulder" is a masterpiece of famous woman's paintings and an iconic representation of the female form. At the same time, this piece is iconic for the female form. The extension of the features is so sophisticated, and the simplification thereof creates the impression that the nude woman can only exude confidence and allure by glancing over her shoulder. Indeed, the painting is a testament to the artistic vision Modigliani had to capture the humanness of the human form in such a provocatively tantalizing manner. Sold for $157.2 million in the year 2018, the painting became one of the most expensive nude paintings sold at an auction.

6."Vase with Twelve Sunflowers II" by VINCENT VAN GOGH

Vase With Twelve Sunflowers II

"Vase with Twelve Sunflowers II" is one of Vincent Van Gogh's most famous paintings, finished in 1888. The painting belongs to the series of sunflower paintings done during his stay in Arles in France. The painting presents a vase containing twelve bright yellow sunflowers arranged in a simple yet striking composition. In an attempt to give the impression of depth and movement within the composition, Van Gogh has used thick, impasto strokes with vibrating colors. Today, "Vase with Twelve Sunflowers II" is considered one of Vincent Van Gogh's famous paintings and an absolute trademark of post-impressionism. Christie's sold the painting for $39.7 million in 1987, which was one of the highest prices ever paid for a painting at that time.

7."Black Square" by KAZIMIR MALEVICH

Black Square

"Black Square" is probably one of the most famous paintings in history. Done in 1915, it is believed to be the first piece of purely abstract art and a key work in Malevich's Suprematist movement. The painting only has a black-colored square against a white background but is representative of the radical turn away from more traditional representational works of art. Symbolic that painting had ceased regarding the physical world representation and had started as a reflection of spiritual and intellectual ideals, this painting, as one of the most famous oil painting reproductions in the world, was valued in excess of 250 million dollars in 2020.

8. "Untitled (Black on Gray)" by Mark Rothko

Untitled (black on gray) by Mark Rothko, abstract art with dark hues.

The work of Mark Rothko is well-known because it can evoke deep emotions using nothing but color and simplicity. In the 1970 work “Untitled (Black on Gray)”, he presents a black rectangle against the soft gray of the background. The strong contrast between these colors makes one reflect upon the questions of mortality and the transcendence in colors.


Deceptively simple upon first sight, Rothko's mastery of tone and composition cements his position among the luminaries of Abstract Expressionism. Yet another work in his "Black on Gray" series reached more than $31 million, which really proves that subtle gradations and very restrained palettes can impress loudly in the art market.

9. "Composition VIII" by Wassily Kandinsky

"Composition VIII" by Wassily Kandinsky, abstract geometric art with bold shapes.

Another masterpiece that amalgamates simplicity with the profundity of innovation in art is "Composition VIII" by Wassily Kandinsky. Painted in 1923, it combined geometric shapes and lines in various colors, which would follow each other orderly and regularly, supposedly in an arbitrary design. It may look like elementary forms at first glance, but all the elements are specifically set to attain balance and rhythm.

One of the pioneers of abstract art, Kandinsky believed that the sole purpose of art is to evoke emotion through visual elements and not by the representation of subjects. Indeed, this painting follows the philosophy of creating such a symphony with forms and colors so that these get sunk deep into the viewer's mind. 

 

Much of the power of art is that it will make us feel, think, and perceive things differently. And all the more with those 'simple' yet so valuable paintings that were discussed within this article the minimalist abstractions of Kazimir Malevich and Mark Rothko; the dynamic geometrical play of Wassily Kandinsky; and the surreal genius of Salvador Dalí. They prove to one and all that simplicity can hold the deepest meaning and weight.

As a result, many art enthusiasts seek out oil painting reproductions of these famous works as they strive to bring a piece of art history into their own homes. These reproductions allow a wider audience to appreciate and enjoy the beauty and meaning of these famous oil paintings.