Most Expensive Piece of Art Ever Sold

Garçon à la Pipe (Boy with a pipe), 1905
Pablo Picasso, 1881-1973

The 39-in by 32-in canvas is widely regarded as one of the most stunning depictions of adolescent beauty became the most expensive painting ever sold when it was bought by an anonymous bidder $104 million at The Sotheby's New York in 2004.

Garçon à la Pipe, also known as Le jeune apprenti, was painted in 1905 when Picassowas twenty four and living at the Bateau Lavoir in Montmartre. His model was probably the young boy known as 'P'tit Louis', who frequented the place together with assorted harlequins, acrobats and strolling players, and who used to watch Picasso work.
Garçon à la Pipe was painted during Picasso's famous Rose Period, a period in which Picasso was experimenting preferred cheerful orange and pink colours and his work had a more poetic, a softer and a more romantic mood. Its astounding price did surprise many art critics since this painting is not of the Cubist style that Picasso largely invented and to which he owes his exalted place in the art world.