Top 15 Richest Painters and Artists in The World: Popular work, net worth, career highlights, & more

There are many people in this world who have followed their passion for art and established themselves as renowned artists. Not only have they earned global fame and recognition but also millions and billions of money. In this article, we have compiled and presented a list of the 15 richest painters and artists in the world in 2023 along with their present net worth, their field of specialization, and other interesting details about them.

15 Richest Painters and Artists in The World in 2023

The table provides the list of the top 15 richest painters and artists in the world along with their net worth (as of 2023) and nationality.

World’s 15 Richest Painters and Artists In 2023

We have already discussed the 15 richest painters and artists in the world in 2023. Let us learn a little bit more about them in detail.

1. John Currin

With an estimated net worth of over $1.4 billion, John Currin is the richest painter in the world in 2023. John is known for his satirical paintings which cover a diverse range from culture magazines to fashion models to the Renaissance. His most expensive painting Nice ‘n Easy was sold for $12,007,500.

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2. Edward Ruscha

Edward Ruscha is a diverse artist known for his paintings and also for his printmaking, drawing, and photography. Ruscha has created several artists’ books and is often associated with the pop art movement. Other than this, he has also made several documentaries and short films.

3. Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst is the richest living artist in the UK and the third richest in the world with an estimated net worth of $700 million. Hirst rose to fame for a series of artworks in which dead animals were preserved and he often creates artworks revolving around death.

4. Jeff Koons

Jeff Koons is an American artist known for his work that depicts everyday objects which many consider pioneering and of major art-historical importance. Two of his most famous works, Balloon Dog (Orange) and Rabbit have been sold for record auction prices for a work by a living artist.

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5. Jasper Johns

Jasper Johns is known for his abstract expressionism, pop art, Neo-Dada, and his depictions of the American flag. Several times, Jasper has held the title of the living artist who is most paid for his work. For his contribution to the arts, Jasper has also been awarded multiple times.

6. David Choe

David Choe is an artist, musician, and podcast host who has also worked as a journalist in the past. His illustrations have been a part of popular magazines such as Hustler, Ray Gun, and Vice. Choe is popular for his works relating to urban culture and entertainment contexts.

7. Takashi Murakami

Takashi Murakami is known for his works in fine arts media as well as fashion, merchandise, and animation-related works. With his work, he has influenced many other Japanese artists. Murakami is the founder and organizer of Geisai, a biannual art fair.

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8. Anish Kapoor

Anish Kapoor is a sculptor whose popular works include Cloud Gate, Temenos, ArcelorMittal Orbit, and many others. For his work in arts, Kapoor has been presented with the Turner Prize, Praemium Imperiale, Genesis Prize, and the Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

9. Bridget Riley

Known for her op-art paintings, Bridget Riley is the first woman to be featured in the list of 15 richest painters and artists in the world. As of 2023, she holds a net worth of around $85 million. Riley’s specialty was abstract black-and-white geometric patterns.

10. Antony Gormley

With a net worth of approximately $50 million, Antony Gormley ranks tenth on the list of the world’s richest artists in 2023. Gormley’s central theme revolves mostly around the human body which can be clearly seen in his works. His popular works include the Angel of the North, Another Place, and Event Horizon.

11. Banksy

Banksy is an alias for an English street artist and political activist whose real name is not disclosed to the world. He is quite popular for his satirical street art that combines dark humor with graffiti. Banksy’s works are sold through an agency called Pest Control which is also non-public.

12. Gerhard Richter

Gerhard Richter is a 91-year-old visual artist from Germany known for his photographs,  abstract & photorealistic paintings, and glass art. One of the most contemporary artists, Richter’s works have set record prices at auction multiple times.

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13. David Hockney

A painter, printmaker, photographer, draftsman, and stage designer, David Hockney is a man of multiple talents owing to which he has made his name among the richest artists of the world. He is considered by many as one of the most influential British artists of the present century.

14. Richard Prince

Richard Prince is an American painter and photographer known primarily for his rephotographing skills. The New York Times has mentioned Prince as “one of the most revered artists of his generation” and he is also one of the richest artists as of 2023.

15. Georg Baselitz

The list of the 15 richest painters and artists in the world in 2023 concludes with Georg Baselitz who has an estimated net worth of $20 million. Other than being a painter, Georg is also a renowned sculptor and graphic artist well-known for his figurative, expressive paintings.

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