Extravagant Artwork Auctions

At McTear's, we auction many fabulous and extravagant pieces of art which are valued by our experts. Our bidders really have an eye and appreciation for beautiful, interesting and inspirational artwork, but how much would you pay for some of the world's most sought-after artwork?

Have a look at some of the below artwork by famous artists, which have had their hammers crashing down at humongous sums of money - perhaps some of the masterpieces you own will be the same in a few years!


Nu au Plateau de Sculpteur, Pablo Picasso

Nu au Plateau de Sculpteur translates to 'Nude, Green Leaves and Bust' by the well known Impressionist artist, Pablo Picasso. It was painted in just one day in March 1932. By 2010, this painting was auctioned for $106, 500,00. Wow, not bad for a day's work!


Portrait of Dr. Gachet, Vincent van Gogh

This painting is by the very well known Dutch Impressionist artist, Van Gogh. He painted two similar versions of this portrait, one of which can be viewed at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris and the other which was purchased by Ryoei Saito, a business man from Japain for just $82.5 million... JUST?!


Portrait of Adele Block-Bauer, Gustav Klimt

The above is a 'Portrait of Adele Block-Bauer', painted by Gustav Klimt in 1907. By 2006, the painting was selling in auction for $135,000,000, to the cosmetics heir Ronald S. Lauder.
Interestingly, this sale came after a court order placed by the Austrian government, to return it to the artist's heir after many years disputing that the painting had been stolen by Nazi's in World War II - Quite some attention and adventure for one painting!


The Scream, Edvard Munch

One of four that exist, this most vibrant version of the original iconic image created by Norwegian painter Edvard Munch sold at auction in May 2012 for almost $120,000,000.

The 19th century image, portraying what the artist called "the great scream in nature" soon became the subject of countless parodies throughout the 20th century and, today, remains on a par with Da Vinci's Mona Lisa as one of the most recognised images in the world.

Keep up to date with the pieces of our more affordable artwork up for auction on our website, and also see our Facebook and Twitter to ensure you hear everything first... or even have some artwork you own valued by us to see what you could get at auction.

Going Once...Going Twice...Gone!

With a little gap till our June auctions, we thought it would be interesting to have a look at the most expensive items sold at auction over the years.

Recently at McTear’s we were fortunate to be auctioning some of the fantastic work by Peter Howson which raised over £200,000. However, other items around the world have managed to reach much higher prices at auction.

It’s amazing what some people will pay for things at auction and these following items are just some of the best examples.

First of all the most expensive painting which was Pablo Picasso's Nude, Green Leaves and Bust that sold for $106.5million (£66million) in 2010 at Christie's auction house.


Source: Picasso's Nude, Green Leaves and Bust to be shown at Tate Modern

Next is the most expensive piece of clothing. Marlyn Monroe's famous 'Happy Birthday' serenade to President John F. Kennedy is one that has gone down in history and her flesh-coloured, curve-hugging, jewel-encrusted dress so tight and sheer that she was sewn into it, sold for a massive $1,267,500 in 1999.


Marilyn Monroe's "Happy Birthday Mr. President" Dress

The most expensive musical instrument sold in 2007 was this Guarneri del Gesù violin that sold for $3.9millon.


Guarneri del Gesù violin

We found this one very peculiar: The most expensive lock of hair. The company behind the Internet auction of such macabre memorabilia has made a small fortune selling the tresses of celebrities.To date, the most valuable one sold was that of Elvis Presley selling for $115,000 in 2002.


Tresses from Elvis Presley

Now for probably the coolest car we have ever seen, the 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa. Being the most expensive car sold at auction, this beauty reached a whopping $12.2million in 2009.


1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa

If diamonds really are a girl's best friend, then this Wittelsbach diamond would be the best friend they could have. Selling for $23.4million in 2008 this diamond is the most expensive one sold to date.


Wittelsbach diamond

Adapted from The Times Top 10 most expensive items sold at auction.

McTear's next special auctions will begin on the 25th of June with British & Continental Ceramics & Glass.