Andreas Gursky’s “Rhein II” Is Now the Most Expensive Photograph in the World

Andreas Gursky didn’t spend long off the top of the most-expensive-photograph-sold list. After being eclipsed by Cindy Sherman this past May when her “Untitled #96” sold for $3.89 million, Gursky is back on top as of last night. His “Rhein II,” a massive two-by-three-meter abstract landscape print, sold for $4.3 million at Christie’s. Prior to Sherman’s overaking earlier this year, Gursky’s “99 Cent II Diptychon” ($3.35 million) had held the title since 2006.

“Rhein II,” produced in 1999, graced the cover of a 2001 monograph of Gursky’s, and is indicative of his formalist, abstract landscape style. It’s the largest of an edition of six, and it’s in good company–owners of the other editions include MoMA and the Tate Modern in London.

[Christies via PopPhoto and the Atlantic Wire]