The painting that was suddenly worth millions

David Brancaccio Jun 12, 2014
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The painting that was suddenly worth millions

David Brancaccio Jun 12, 2014
HTML EMBED:
COPY

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.

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