The Cities With The Most Expensive Paintings In The World

Image: Cloud Gate in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo via Sean Pavone / iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus)
Image: Cloud Gate in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo via Sean Pavone / iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus)
Lacey Pfalz
by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 11:13 AM ET, Wed May 19, 2021

We've all heard of the world's foremost art museums, like New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art, Madrid's El Prado and Paris' Louvre, but where are the world's most expensive paintings located? The top four cities might surprise you.

If you're a fan of seeing the world's most expensive masterpieces of art, Chicago is where to find them. It tops the list with over $735 million worth of paintings. Home to the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art, it's home to Monet's 'Meules' and 'Meule,' paintings, which are estimated to be worth $114.7 million and $89.9 million, respectively.

In second place is Paris, home to the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay, as well as $734 million worth of priceless art. Cezanne's 'The Card Players' is located in the Musee d'Orsay and is estimated to be worth over $294 million, while the Louvre shares Rembrandt's 'Pendant portraits of Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit' with Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum, which are worth $201 million alone.

New York comes right in third place, home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The city houses $518 million worth of the world's most expensive paintings, including Van Gogh's 'A Wheatfield of Cypresses' estimated at $104.5 million and Picasso's 'Au Lapin Agile' at $86.9 million.

Abu Dhabi comes in fourth place. Home to The Louvre Abu Dhabi, which strangely enough only owns one of the world's 30 most valuable paintings, it's claim to fame is Leonardo Da Vinci's 'Salvador Mundi,' estimated to be worth over $486.6 million: the most expensive painting in the world.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Lacey Pfalz

Lacey Pfalz

Senior Editor, News & Features

Lacey Pfalz is Associate Editor at TravelPulse. She's a passionate advocate of responsible travel and believes the best travel experiences happen outside of a planned itinerary. Lacey currently lives in rural Wisconsin. She can be reached at [email protected].

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Upcoming Webinar
Greenland Uncovered: Selling the Arctic's Best-Kept Secret with HXTuesday, September 15, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Towering icebergs, colourful Inuit communities, the Midnight Sun, and a UNESCO-listed icefjord —...
Upcoming Webinar
The Next Generation Of Carnival FunWednesday, September 16, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Get ready for an exciting webinar with Janet Wygert, Carnival’s Senior Vice President of Sales and...
Upcoming Webinar
Your New Era with TrafalgarThursday, September 17, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Trafalgar’s new era is taking shape. Join us on September 17 to learn about "Your New Era" with...
Upcoming Webinar
Greenland Uncovered: Selling the Arctic's Best-Kept Secret with HXTuesday, September 15, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Towering icebergs, colourful Inuit communities, the Midnight Sun, and a UNESCO-listed icefjord —...
Upcoming Webinar
The Next Generation Of Carnival FunWednesday, September 16, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Get ready for an exciting webinar with Janet Wygert, Carnival’s Senior Vice President of Sales and...
Upcoming Webinar
Your New Era with TrafalgarThursday, September 17, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Trafalgar’s new era is taking shape. Join us on September 17 to learn about "Your New Era" with...