Gustav Klimt’s ‘Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I’ is not just art: it is a masterpiece full of drama with a price tag of $135 million. Also known as the ‘Lady in Gold’, it is a stunning tribute to Adele Bloch-Bauer, whose family fought a historic battle to win it back from Nazi plunderers. Sold to Ronald Lauder, it now reigns supreme at New York’s Neue Galerie. Klimt’s intricate patterns and Adele’s enigmatic gaze make this painting an enduring icon. It is a canvas that whispers equal parts scandal, history and artistry about wealth, war and restitution, while looking fantastic in gold.
5. Nitrogen atom-based endohedral fullerenes: the magic powder
Move over diamonds: this powdery wonder takes duration to a whole new level. Nitrogen atom-based endohedral fullerenes may sound like science fiction jargon, but at $140 million per gram, they redefine “precious.” These carbon cages full of nitrogen atoms are not only expensive, they are also revolutionary. From miniaturized atomic clocks to ultra-precise GPS systems, they are the future of technology in a powder form. This substance, developed by scientists from Oxford, is the Bentley among nanomaterials. Sure, you can’t wear it, but the price tag is proof that sometimes the smallest things have the biggest impact, both scientifically and financially.
6. Jeff Bezos’ Beverly Hills Mansion: A billionaire’s playground
Jeff Bezos’ $165 million mansion in Beverly Hills exudes understated luxury (as much as a 13,000-square-foot home can). Think clean lines, floor-to-ceiling windows and minimalist decor, because even billionaires love a good aesthetic. Add landscaped gardens and panoramic views, and you have a space so indulgent that even Bezos’ Amazon packages feel underdressed.
7. Painting ‘The Card Players’: Royal Flush of Art
In Paul Cézanne’s ‘The Card Players’, sold to the Qatari royal family for $250 million, ordinary people play a card game. Irony? Maybe. But the value of art lies not in the subject, but in the wallet of the buyer. Cézanne’s masterpiece is the ultimate asset in the field of art investments.
8. ‘Salvator Mundi’: the savior of auctions
Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Salvator Mundi’ redefined auction records at $450.3 million. This piece, which depicted Jesus as the Savior of the world, brought drama, mystery and a good dose of sticker shock to Christie’s. Whether you see divine intervention or a smart investment, one thing is certain: this painting knows how to make headlines.
9. Villa Leopolda: a Riviera dream
Villa Leopolda is a $750 million piece of history and extravagance. Once the retreat of King Leopold II of Belgium, this Belle Époque masterpiece combines old-world charm with modern luxury. Located in the Alpes-Maritimes of the Côte d’Azur, it features extensive gardens, 12 swimming pools, 11 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, a helipad and even a commercial greenhouse. It was redesigned by American architect Ogden Codman Jr. and is now owned by Lily Safra, widow of Lebanese-Brazilian banker Edmund Safra.
10. Antilia: Mumbai’s towering wonder
