The painting that was suddenly worth millions
Britain’s National Trust now has a Rembrandt on its hands. Well, it’s had the painting — a portrait of the artist — for several years, but until a few weeks ago the work of art was held in storage, thought to be a fake.
After months of investigation, analysts and researchers are putting the price of the painting — deemed authentic — at $50 million, several times what it was worth before.
Click the audio player above to hear art critic Blake Gopnik discuss the business of art, branding, and the worth of the master’s hand.
So how much is a “selfie” worth?
The Rembrandt has been referred to as one of the more expensive “selfies” ever created. Sure, the Ellen Oscar selfie has cache, but can it compare to the most pricey paintings and photographs artists have made of themselves throughout history?
While Britain’s National Trust has no plans to sell their new Rembrandt, many “selfies” have been auctioned for millions of dollars.
Click through the slideshow above to see some of the most expensive “selfies” ever sold.
There’s a lot happening in the world. Through it all, Marketplace is here for you.
You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible.
Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.
