Going Once, Going Twice:The 10 Most Expensive Artworks Auctioned Last Year

The 2024 art market might not have shattered records, but it still delivered thrilling moments and captivating sales. Surrealism took the spotlight on its 100th anniversary, with René Magritte leading the charge. Here’s a detailed look at the year’s top 10 auction lots

By Sharan Sanil

January 11, 2025

From Surrealist marvels to Impressionist gems, these pieces represent more than just artistic brilliance—they’re a testament to the enduring allure of fine art as both a cultural and financial investment. Here’s a look at 10 standout masterpieces that shattered records and redefined the art world this year.

1. René Magritte, L’empire des lumières (1954) – $121,160,000

René Magritte, L’empire des lumières, 1954. Courtesy of Christie’s. .jpeg

The crown jewel of Christie’s November auction, Magritte’s L’empire des lumières became the most expensive Surrealist work ever sold. This iconic painting juxtaposes a sunlit sky with a shadowy, lamp-lit street scene, offering a dreamy yet eerie vision. Part of a celebrated series, this version stands out for its size and provenance, having belonged to renowned interior designer Mica Ertegun. The sale marked a major milestone in Surrealism's centennial celebration.

2. Ed Ruscha, Standard Station, Ten-Cent Western Being Torn in Half (1964) – $68,260,000

Ed Ruscha, Standard Station, Ten-Cent Western Being Torn in Half, 1964. Courtesy of Christie’s. .jpeg

Ruscha’s exploration of American consumerism and nostalgia reached new heights at Christie’s New York. The final large-format piece from his 1960s gas station series still in private hands, it features bold colours and a torn dime-store novel. This work resonated with bidders not only for its aesthetic but also for its inclusion in Ruscha’s acclaimed retrospective, cementing its place in art history.

3. Claude Monet, Nymphéas (1914–17) – $65,500,000

Claude Monet, Nymphéas, 1914–17. Courtesy of Sotheby’s. .jpeg

This shimmering masterpiece from Monet’s Water Lilies series captured the imagination of bidders during Sotheby’s November sale. Painted at Giverny, it shifts focus from the tangible to the ethereal, celebrating light and reflection. Its sale follows the success of another Nymphéas painting in Hong Kong, reflecting the enduring appeal of Impressionism worldwide.

4. Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled (ELMAR) (1982) – $46,479,000

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled (ELMAR), 1982. Courtesy of Phillips. .jpeg

This 8-foot-wide canvas pulsates with Basquiat’s signature energy. Depicting a mythological figure and themes of struggle, it’s a raw expression of the artist’s worldview. Long held in a private collection, its storied exhibition history includes a retrospective at Fondation Louis Vuitton.

5. René Magritte, L’ami intime (1958) – $42,123,969

René Magritte, L’ami intime, 1958.jpeg

One of Magritte’s enigmatic portraits of his bowler-hatted man, this work features a floating baguette and wine glass. Sold after 44 years in private hands, its quirky surrealism and provenance, including a showing in Brussels, made it a standout at Christie’s London.

6. Andy Warhol, Flowers (1964) – $35,485,000

Andy Warhol, Flowers, 1964. Courtesy of Christie’s. .jpeg

Warhol’s vivid Flowers juxtapose life’s fleeting beauty against its darker realities. This nearly 7-foot piece, made in response to JFK’s assassination, broke its high estimate at Christie’s May sale, demonstrating Warhol’s enduring appeal.

7. Claude Monet, Meules à Giverny (1893) – $34,804,500

Claude Monet, Meules à Giverny, 1893. Courtesy of Sotheby’s. .jpeg

A rare example from Monet’s Haystacks series, this painting captured the effects of light and atmosphere. It had been in U.S. collections since the late 19th century, lending it historical significance alongside its visual impact.

8. Vincent van Gogh, Coin de jardin avec papillons (1887) – $33,185,000

Vincent van Gogh, Coin de jardin avec papillons, 1887. Courtesy of Christie’s. .jpeg

Painted during Van Gogh’s Paris period, this work’s vibrant flower beds teem with life. Initially unsold in 2018, it returned to Christie’s to break the record for Van Gogh’s Paris-era works, reaffirming his universal appeal.

9. Mark Rothko, Untitled (Yellow and Blue) (1954) – $32,474,502

Mark Rothko, Untitled (Yellow and Blue), 1954. Courtesy of Sotheby’s. .jpeg

Rothko’s first oil painting auctioned in Asia, this vibrant abstraction attracted global attention at Sotheby’s Hong Kong. Its vivid blocks of colour and storied provenance made it a highlight of the year.

10. Vincent van Gogh, Les canots amarrés (1887) – $32,189,041

Vincent van Gogh, Les canots amarrés, 1887. Courtesy of Christie’s. .jpeg

One of three Asnières paintings capturing docked boats on the Seine, this work exudes calm. With the other two pieces in museums, its rarity and beauty drove bidding at Christie’s Hong Kong.

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