Hundreds of thousands — even millions — of dollars are spent every year by art patrons eager to own the world’s most sought-after paintings.

Find out a little more about this shortlist of Picasso’s, Van Gogh’s and more works from famous artists who still command the highest prices, what makes these paintings so special, and why they’re worth so very much…

1)1. Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer by Gustav Klimt ($135,000,000)

This record breaking sale was enabled by a court order by the Austrian government to return the painting to the Artist’s rightful heir. The entire dispute lasted over a year and was necessary to return the painting that was looted by the Nazis during World War II.

Skillfully painted in 1907 by the art nouveau master Gustav Klimt, the painting was purchased by Ronald S. Lauder, the cosmetics heir, in 2006.

2. Garcon a la Pipe by Pablo Picasso ($104,100,000)

Created during the Rose Period, Garcon a la Pipe showcases Picasso’s exceptional use of cheerful orange and pink palatte.

The oil on canvas painting, measuring 100 ? 81.3 cm (slightly over 39 ? 32 inches), displays a Parisian boy holding a pipe in his left hand.

The record price auction at the time on May 4, 2004 in Sotheby’s was a bit of a surprise to the core art buyers, because it was painted in the style not usually associated with the pioneering Cubist artist.

3. Dora Maar with Cat by Pablo Picasso ($95,200,000)

Another enormous surprise followed in 2006, when this painting near doubled its inaccurate presale estimate and brought in new record $95,200,000 at auction at Sotheby’s on May 3, 2006.

Painted in 1941, Picasso’s controversial portrait (one of his last) is sometimes described as an unflattering depiction of his mistress, Dora Maar, who was an artist/photographer and mistress of Picasso whose relationship lasted ten years during the 1930s and 40s.

4. Portrait of Dr. Gachet by Vincent van Gogh ($82,500,000)

This painting by the Dutch Impressionist master Vincent van Gogh suddenly became world-famous when Japanese businessman Ryoei Saito paid $82.5 million for it at auction in Christie’s, New York. Saito was so attached to the painting that he wanted it to be cremated with him when he died. Saito died in 1996 … but the painting was saved.

Vincent van Gogh actually painted two versions of Dr Gachet’s portrait. You can view the other version, with a slightly different color scheme, at Musée d’Orsay in Paris.

5. Bal Au Moulin de la Galette by Pierre-Auguste Renoir ($78,000,000)

Bal au moulin de la Galette, Montmartre was painted by French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir in 1876. On May 17, 1990, it was sold for $ 78,000,000 at Sotheby’s in New York City to Ryoei Saito, who bought it together with the Portrait of Dr Gachet (see above).

6. Massacre of the Innocents by Peter Paul Rubens ($76,700,000)

This painting by Peter Paul Rubens, painted in 1611, is the only painting in this list which was not painted in the 19th or 20th century. It was sold to Kenneth Thomson, 2nd Baron Thomson of Fleet for $ 76,700,000 at a 2002 Sotheby’s auction.

7. Portrait de l'Artiste sans Barbe by Vincent van Gogh ($71,500,000)

Portrait de l’artiste sans barbe (”Self-portrait without beard”) is one of many self-portraits by Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh. He painted this one in Saint-R?my-de-Provence, France in September 1889. The painting is a oil painting on canvas and is 40 cm x 31 cm (16? x 13?).

This is an uncommon painting since his other self-portraits show him with a beard. The self-portrait became one of the most expensive paintings of all time when it was sold for $71.5 million in 1998 in New York.

8. Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier by Paul Cézanne ($60,500,000)

This painting by Paul Cézanne, painted in ca. 1893-1894, sold for $60,500,000 at Sotheby’s New York on May 10, 1999 to “The Whitneys”. Whitney, born into one of America’s wealthiest families, was a venture capitalist, publisher, Broadway show and Hollywood film producer, and philanthropist.

9. Femme aux Bras Croisés by Pablo Picasso ($55,000,000)

This work, painted in 1901, was a part of Picasso’s famous Blue Period, a dark, sad time in the artist’s life. The beautiful & various tones of blue are typical. The painting depicts a woman with her arms crossed staring at the endless nothing.

Femme aux Bras Croisés was sold for $55,000,000 November 8, 2000, at Christie’s Rockefeller in New York City.

10. Irises by Vincent Van Gogh ($53,900,000)

Vincent van Gogh painted this at Saint Paul-de-Mausole in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France in 1889, only one year before his death. In 1987, it became the most expensive painting to date. It was sold for $ 54,000,000 to Alan Bond and later resold to the Getty Museum.

MS Explorer of the Seas is one of five Voyager-class cruise ships from Royal Caribbean International. It can handle over 3100 guests, including scientists making use of a built-in atmospheric and oceanographic laboratory operated by the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. Voyager-class ships are the third largest passenger ships in the world, after Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and Royal Caribbean’s own Freedom Class.

SAND ART :- In Orissa, a unique type of art form is developed at Puri . But it spreads all over the world . To carve a sand sculpture , the raw material is the only clean and fine grained sand mixed with water . With the help of this type of sand and with the blessings of God and by the magic of fingers , an artist can carve a beautiful and attractive sculpture on the beach.

There are very few people who leave their foot prints on sands. One of them is Sudarsan Pattnaik. He has magic fingers, with unlimited potentials and with immense heat to create some thing new on sand. He had always a dream that he would win a prize in an international level. For his excellent talent he travels many countries like London, France, Scotland, China, Holand, Singapore, Denmark and Italy. He is also appreciated by many for his attractive sand sculpture. Now he became an international artist. In the World Master's Sand Sculpture Championship held at Italy in July 2001 he represented India and got 3rd prize as first Indian . "Golden Sand Art Institute " which is an open air institute in Puri Beach behind Mayfair Hotel started in the year 1995. Around 50 students are taking training in this institute including tourists. Tourists can take basic 7-10 days familiarization course. Beautiful gallery on the beach can be observed in the beach in the afternoon from 4-6 P.M. The institute is run by Mr Sudarsan Patnaik, e-mail: sudarsansand@hotmail.com , Marichikote Lane, Puri-752001, Orissa, India

His works are mostly based on current world issues, ranging from climate change to world peace. “For last two years, everywhere I heard about the issues of global warming and climate change, so I started working on these issues,” he said.
He has produced several sand sculptures of US President Barack Obama. On November 2, 2008, he made a sand sculpture of US presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama.

Report by Orissadiary correspondent; Puri: It is the 1st anniversary of Mumbai Terror attacks. People from different part of India giving their tributes in different way to the victims of 26/11. Internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a sand image to tribute the innocent people and the National hero who were passed away on this sad event, at Golden sea beach of Orissa, with a massage to the world, "All Ideologies end up killing people" & "Stop terrorism".

People to gather at Puri beach to tribute near the sand image of hotel Taj to the innocent people who died on last year 26 Nov. We should stand together to fight against the terrorist, Pattnaik said. Before Sudarsan has also created many sand sculptures to condemn terrorist attacks.

Pattnaik created a 7ft high sand sculpture of Taj Hotel by using 6 tones of sand. Students of his sand art institute join hand with him to complete the sculpture.

Sudarsan has so far participated in more than 39 international sand sculpture championships across the world and won many awards for the country. In 2008 Sudarsan won the World champion title as a first Indian at Germany. He always tries to give message on social issues to World through his sand sculptures

Bhubaneswar, July 13 (IANS) Orissa based sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik was Monday announced as the winner of the people’s choice award at the world championship held in Berlin last month for his 15-feet-high image of Lord Buddha.
Pattnaik, who hails from Orissa’s beach city of Puri, 56 km from here is the first Indian to win the contest.

Last year he had won the jury prize in the same contest in Berlin for his sculpture that showed the famous polar bear Knut, which lives in the Berlin Zoo.

“The people’s choice award that I have won this time is the most prestigious award which is decided on the basis of votes given by the audience,” Pattnaik told IANS over phone from his home.

“The award was announced today (Monday) and the producer of the festival Anja Smolle has formally informed me by email,” he said.

“At least 12 artists from 12 countries participated in this competition,” he said.

While his sculpture got 1,383 votes, the second prize went to Gianni Schiumarini (Italy) with 439 votes, he said.

Pattnaik created the image of a sitting Buddha for the 2nd United Sand Festival (USF) World Solo Sand Sculpture Championship 2009 held June 4-11 in the German capital. The sculpture was on display from June 11-12.

Pattnaik has participated in more than 39 international sand sculpture festivals and competitions and won several prizes.

Pattnaik, who figured in the Limca Book of Records in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 editions for his work, will also find place in the 2009 edition for winning the United Sand Festivals (USF) World Double Championship held June 5.