The highest auction result in this segment is 3,3 million dollars

income earned from the sale of photographs at auction, is only 1.51%of the total turnover of the art market. Yes, the pictures so far are valued below the paintings and sculptures, but in this segment are incredible results. This is confirmed by ranking the most expensive pictures (see below). Each of the works it brought at auction over a million dollars.

first photographer, whose creation overstepped the seven-digit threshold, was Edward S. Curtis (Edward S. Curtis, 1868-1952). In 2005, his collection of portfolio with photogravure entitled "North American Indian" (1907-1930) was purchased at Christie's for 1.2 million Since then the seven-digit results have been achieved for more than twenty shots.

Without exception, all transactions in the top-10 were carried out between February 2006 and June of 2008, at the height of the boom in the art market. In 2007, global sales revenue of photographs reached 171 million dollars the same year it was established five new records. It is worth noting that before the boom were the most popular photos modernists, and then rush began to enjoy the works of contemporary authors. The only modernist work in the rating is "Pond in Moonlight" (1904), Edward Steichen (Edward Steichen), rescued in 2006 at Sotheby's 2,6 million Since then, none of the shots from the master could not overcome a mark of 450 thousand USD (90%of his creations go to bid for the amount below 66 thousand).

At present picture is one of the most profitable segments of the art market: in the period between January 1999 and - th to April 2010 prices are increased by 81%(while painting rose "only" 59%). The main demand was concentrated in the United States - seven out of ten shots in the ranking changed the owner is on the American bid.

Thus, the list of most expensive photographs:

1. Gilbert and George (b. 1942 and 1943). Her Majesty (1973). 3.3 million dollars Christie's, London, May 30, 2008.
2. Richard Prince (b. 1949). Cowboy (2001-2002). $ 3 million Sotheby's, New York, November 14, 2007.
3. Andreas Gursky (born 1955). 99 cents II (2001). U.S. $ 2.9 million Sotheby's, London, February 7, 2007.
4. Edward Steichen (1879-197). Pond in Moonlight (1904). U.S. $ 2.6 million Sotheby's, New York, February 14, 2006.
5. Andreas Gursky Collection. Los Angeles (1998). U.S. $ 2.56 million Sotheby's, London, February 27, 2008.
6. Richard Prince. cowboy (2001). 2.5 million dollars Christie's, New York, May 16, 2007.
7. Andreas Gursky. 99 cents II (2001). 2.2 million dollars Phillips de Pury, New York, November 16, 2006.
8. Andreas Gursky. 99 cents (1999). $ 2 million Sotheby's, New York, May 10, 2006.
9. Cindy Sherman (b. 1954). No title number 92. 1.85 million USD (1981). Christie's, New York, May 16, 2007.
10. Hiroshi Sugimoto (born 1948). Black Sea, Ozlyudzhe ... (1991-1992). Christie's, New York, May 16, 2007.

Material prepared Yulia Maximova, AI

Source: artprice.com , artinvestment.ru