World Art Day 2021 will be celebrated on April 15 this year to celebrate the significance and importance of arts. On World Art Day, we have compiled together the history, significance of the day along with 5 most expensive art pieces in the world.
History
The World Art Day was first celebrated on April 15, 2012, remembering and celebrating Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci. April 15 also happens to be his birth day and hence, since 2012, the day is celebrated as World Art Day.
Significance
According to International Association of Art “As a symbol of world peace, freedom of expression, tolerance and brotherhood, da Vinci is also a testament to the influence of the Fine Arts on other fields.”
The World Art Day was first accepted by the International Association of Art (UNESCO partner) to strengthen the awareness on the significance of art in the world. The first celebration was observed in Los Angeles, United States of America in 2015.
Although every year the day is celebrated worldwide through a series of art events, exhibitions and more, this year due to the pandemic all the events will be virtual.
5 Most Expensive Paintings in the World
Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi is the most expensive painting on the planet. The painting was sold at a whopping $450.3 million to Badr bin Abdullah Al Saud at the Christie’s auction house in 2017. Abdullah Al Saud is the Minister of Culture for Saudi Arabia. According to Wall Street Journal, the painting was on display at Al Ula, Saudi’s cultural centre. Although, rumours have in the past suggested that the painting was first held up at His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud’s private yacht. The painting is due to be displayed at Louvre, Abu Dhabi.
Interchange by Willem de Kooning
Interchange or ‘Interchanged’ is a painting by Dutch-American painter Williem de Kooning. De Kooning was an expressionist painter who made abstract art all his life and reached pinnacles. His ‘Interchange’ is a large painting that’s 200.7-175.3 centimeters. In 2015, the painting was sold to Kenneth C. Griffin, CEO of hedge Citadel for a whopping $300 million. It’s currently displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago on loan.
The Card Players by Paul Cézanne
Painted by Paul Cézanne, a French Post-Imperialist artist, the Card Players is a series of 5 oil paintings. All 5 paintings are different in sizes, have different number of players and have a different game setting. One such oil painting was sold to Qatar’s Royal Family for an estimated price of $250 million dollar in 2011, which roughly translates to $284 million today. Prior to Qatar Royal Family, the painting was possessed by George Embiricos, who’s well known to have an art collection to envy which includes works of Picasso, Vincent van Gogh and Bacon.
Nafea Faa Ipoipo (When Will You Marry?) by Paul Gauguin
Nafea Faa Ipoipo is another French Post-Impressionist art painted by the artist Paul Gauguin. Gauguin was inspired to paint this work during his visit to Tahiti in 1891. During a private auction, the painting was sold to Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani for approximately $210 million. Prior to Thani, the painting was displayed at the Kunstmuseum in Basel, Switzerland for almost 50 years.
Number 17A by Jackson Pollock
Number 17A epitomizes the fact that art is truly subjective. Some may find it hard to believe that this painting full of obscure colours, lines and patterns, could turn out to be the most expensive paintings in the world. While not much is known about the inspiration of the painting, all that’s known is that it’s painted by Jackson Pollock, a major figure in abstract art. In 2015, his Number17A was sold to Kenneth Griffin for a staggering $200 million.
