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The World's Most Expensive Paintings

Art critic Alastair Sooke tracks down the ten most expensive paintings to sell at auction, and investigates the stories behind the astronomic prices art can reach.

Art critic Alastair Sooke tracks down the ten most expensive paintings to sell at auction, and investigates the stories behind the astronomic prices art can reach. Gaining access to the glittering world of the super-rich, Sooke discovers why the planet's richest people want to spend their millions on art.

Featuring works by Picasso, Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Klimt and Rubens, Sooke enters a world of secrecy and rivalry, passion and power. Highlights include a visit to the art-crammed home of millionaire author Lord Archer; a rare interview with the man at the heart of the sale of the most expensive old master of all time; privileged access to auctioneers Christie's; and a glimpse of the world of the Russian oligarchs.

These revelatory journeys allow Sooke to present an eye-opening view of the super wealthy, and their motivations as collectors of the world's great art treasures.

1 hour

Last on

Thu 1 Sep 2011 23:50

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Alastair Sooke
Presenter Alastair Sooke
Executive Producer Franny Moyle
Executive Producer Franny Moyle
Producer Russell England
Director Russell England

Broadcasts

  • Sun 10 Jul 2011 21:00
  • Sat 16 Jul 2011 21:00
  • Thu 4 Aug 2011 23:20
  • Thu 1 Sep 2011 23:20
  • Thu 1 Sep 2011 23:50