Do you want to take a peek into the dazzling world of the super-rich? Art critic Alastair Sooke has done just that in his documentary – tracking down the ten most expensive paintings ever to sell at auction. This film is not only an intriguing insight into why these priceless artworks were sold for such sky-high prices, but also charmingly reveals what motivates some of the wealthiest people in the world to invest their millions in art.
As viewers, we are treated to a journey spanning centuries and continents, involving works by masters such as Botticelli, Picasso and Klimt. We witness firsthand how particular cultural moments have shaped and influenced the price tags of these extraordinary masterpieces. More than just a mere list of figures and facts, this film reveals why there is no economic index or algorithm which can adequately account for the true value of art.
A mix of archival footage and interviews with experts gives viewers an informed look at the often-complex factors driving each artwork’s sale price. Throughout its enchanting runtime, this documentary allows us to discover more about our own feelings towards money and value – it dismantles our assumptions on aesthetics and questions our own motivations when it comes to consumption.
To truly appreciate art requires us to understand its long history and diverse contexts in which it is created or
