Digital art has grown in popularity in recent years, especially with the rise of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). These digital assets have garnered a massive amount of attention due to their surprising prices. Collectors are paying millions for artistic creations that only exist in the digital world. Take a moment to Google each one so you can get a look at each art piece. Here are 25 of the most expensive pieces that have been sold to date.
25. Pak’s “The Cube”
Pak is a crypto artist that you will see mentioned more than once on this list. Sotheby’s held a sale of NFTs where Pak brought in $16.8 million. This included the sale of a single-pixel artwork The Cube which sold for $1.36 million. Overall, Pak’s larger body of work explores the nature and value of ownership in the digital space, and the price for which their artwork sold reflected the growing interest in abstract and conceptual digital art.
24. CryptoPunk #2338
CryptoPunks is another collection of digital artwork. Piece #2338, a zombie punk, sold for 1,500 ETH. At the time, that converted to about $1.3 million USD. Today, it shakes out to be more than $3.66 million. CryptoPunks have been popular due to their unique traits and early entry into the NFT space. As one of the most expensive digital collectibles, #2338 continues to attract attention from collectors looking to own a piece of NFT history.
23. XCopy’s “Afterburn”
XCopy reportedly raised $24 million in just minutes after the release of one of its collections. Afterburn apparently sold for $1.75 million and features the artist’s signature glitchy, distorted style. XCopy’s work typically explores some dark themes like death, dystopia, and the darker side of technology. The artist’s ability to merge art with social commentary has made his artwork some of the most sought-after pieces in the NFT space.
22. Beeple’s “The Infected”
Beeple a.ka. Mike Winkelmann is another digital artist you’ll see mentioned several times on this list. The Infected depicts a futuristic cityscape that is filled with dystopian imagery. It reportedly sold for around $2 million. Beeple is known for capturing anxiety in digital art, with many of his pieces reflecting on current events and societal trends. He is one of the most expensive living artists of our time.
21. CryptoPunk #6965
Another CryptoPunk piece! This rare ape punk wearing a fedora, known as #6965, sold for $1.54 million. As previously mentioned, CryptoPunk’s early entry into the NFT space has driven up the value of the artwork significantly. Collectors continue to seek out these digital pieces.
20. Beeple’s “Into the Ether”
This won’t be the last time you see Beeple’s name on this list. In fact, you’ll see his name at the number one spot for a different piece. Into the Ether showcases another dystopian landscape with vibrant visuals. Beeple has become one of the most sought-after digital artists to date, earning him top dollar for his artwork. This piece sold for $1.6 million.
19. Trevor Jones’ “The Bitcoin Angel”
Trevor Jones’ The Bitcoin Angel broke NFT records. It raked in $3.2 million in seven minutes, making it the “most expensive open-edition NFT artwork.” The digital piece of artwork is a reimagining of Bernini’s The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa. The fusion of classic art with modern crypto themes attracted a large audience.
18. Pak’s “The Fungible”
Pak’s identity is not known, but they have become a prominent figure in the NFT world. The Fungible collection, as mentioned above, brought in $16.8 million over two days. The overarching theme of the collection is an exploration of value and ownership in the digital space. Pak’s innovative approach has made him one of the top-selling digital artists.
17. Fidenza #313
Fidenza #313 sold for 1,000 ETH or $3.3 million (at the time of sale). It was part of the Art Blocks collection by Tyler Hobbs. These pieces are created using algorithms, which results in a unique, flowing pattern on the screen. #313 stands out in the collection for its intricate design. Overall, Tyler Hobbs’ work has attracted collectors to generative art and NFTs.
16. CryptoPunk #7252
Ah, another CyrptoPunk piece. In August 2021, #7252 sold for $5.3 million in a private sale. Its wild hair and earring add personality to the pixelated character, making it stand out within the CryptoPunk collection. It also has the zombie attribute, which is rare among the collection and plays a key role in its overall value. Early digital collectibles like the CryptoPunks are still in demand and continue increasing in value.
15. Beeple’s “Ocean Front”
In March 2021 (a big year for digital art sales), Beeple’s Ocean Front sold for $6 million. Proceeds from the sale went to the Open Earth Foundation. Like Beeple’s other works, it features a dystopian image that symbolizes the precarious nature of climate change. Ocean Front is part of Beeple’s Everydays series, which brought in tens of millions of dollars. People were attracted to Ocean Front specifically for its artistic value as well as its philanthropic mission.
14. XCopy’s “Death Dip”
XCopy has been creating art on the web in some fashion since 2010, starting with a humble Tumblr blog at the beginning of his career. Death Dip sold for an astounding $1.7 million in 2021. The original purchaser bought it for $400 in 2018 and flipped it when NFT collectibles were at an all-time high. Death Dip reflects the growing appreciation for digital art and solidifies XCopy’s place in the digital world.
13. CryptoPunk #5217
CryptoPunk #5217 also sold in 2021. It is another rare ape punk and it brought in $5.45 million. This punk has a knitted cap and gold chain, adding to its unique look. It is one of the rarest in the CryptoPunk collection, which significantly drove its price up. Even today, #5217 holds immense value in the digital art world.
12. Mad Dog Jones’ “Replicator”
Replicator by Mad Dog Jones is a unique NFT that evolves over time. As its name might suggest, it “replicates” itself, generating new pieces of artwork as time goes on. The original piece sold for $4.1 million at a Phillips auction. Each new iteration of the piece of digital art adds to its value. Additionally, Mad Dog Jones’ futuristic cyberpunk style has resonated with digital art collectors.
11. Edward Snowden’s “Stay Free”
Yes, that Edward Snowden. The Whistleblower created an NFT titled Stay Free in an effort to raise money for his legal defense. He wound up bringing in $5.4 million. Stay Free is an image of Snowden’s face that is created from the text of a U.S. court decision that ruled the National Security Agency’s mass surveillance program illegal. People who were interested in supporting Snowden and individuals interested in the digital art world were drawn to the piece of art.
10. XCopy’s “Right-click and Save As guy”
XCopy raked in $7 million for Right-click and Save As guy. It is a satirical piece that pokes fun at one of the most common criticisms of NFTs: that digital art can be saved and shared by anyone. Like many of his other pieces, it has a somewhat dark theme, but it serves as a rebuttal to critics of XCopy’s artwork.
9. Ringers #109
Ringers #109 is part of the Art Blocks collection. It sold for $7.1 million. Ringers is one of the most popular among the algorithmic artwork series, known for its colorful and intricate designs. The high sale price of this piece is a testament to the collector’s interest in generative art.
8. Ross Ulbricht’s “Genesis Collection”
Ross Ulbricht was in prison when the Genesis Collection was being sold and all of the artwork was created while he was behind bars. It raised $6.12 million, which helped him fund his legal efforts as well as charitable causes. The backstory of the Genesis Collection has attracted a number of collectors because it blends digital art with real-world legal and ethical battles.
7. CryptoPunk #8857
This isn’t the last (or most expensive) CryptoPunk piece you’ll see on this list. #8857 was sold for $6.63 million. It is another zombie punk wearing 3D glasses. It is one of the most iconic punks in the collection. As one of the most expensive CryptoPunks, #8857 is a testament to the staying power of digital avatars.
6. Beeple’s “Crossroads”
Another work by Beeple earned millions when it was sold. Crossroads sold for $6.6 million on the secondary market. It originally sold for $66,666, which goes to show you how fast pieces of digital artwork can appreciate in value.
5. XCopy’s “A Coin for the Ferryman”
SuperRare user jpeggy purchased XCopy’s A Coin for the Ferryman in November 2021 for $6.02 million. This user also owns XCopy’s EVADER, making them a collector of sorts. As with XCopy’s other work, this piece features a chaotic scene with an ever-changing visual loop. It is seen as a reflection of the fast-paced nature of the digital age.
4. CryptoPunk #3100
Initially, CryptoPunk #3100 made headlines when it sold for $7.58 million in 2021. However, it broke the internet again earlier this year when it fetched $16.5 million. It is one of the nine alien punks, making it rare. As previously mentioned, the status of CryptoPunks in the NFT space makes most of them very valuable.
3. CryptoPunk #7804
Another unique alien punk, #7804, sold for an astounding $16.38 million. This variant of the alien is the rarest and is highly coveted in the digital art space. At this point, owning a CryptoPunk has become a status symbol in the crypto community.
2. Beeple’s “Human One”
Beeple takes the first and second spots on this list. Number two is Human One, which sold for $29 million at Christie’s auction in November 2021. It features a 3D astronaut walking through various landscapes. The continuous nature of the piece allows it to evolve over time, which reflects on Beeple’s status in the NFT art world. Its groundbreaking nature makes it one of the most significant pieces in the digital art sphere.
1. Beeple’s “Everydays: The First 5000 Days”
At number one is Beeple’s Everydays: The First 5000 Days. It sold for a jaw-dropping $69.3 million. Everydays: The First 5000 Days is a collage that is composed of 5,000 individual images that the artist created over 13 years. Each image within the collage captures a different theme and showcases Beeple’s artistic evolution. Not only was it the first NFT sold by a major auction house, but it has also yielded the highest sale price of any piece of digital artwork so far.
Digital Art is Transforming the Market
Digital art and NFTs are transforming the art market. Artists like Beeple, XCopy, and Pak have pushed the boundaries of what digital art can be and what it can be worth. Each of these 25 pieces highlights one of the more influential spaces in the art world today. As the market for NFTs continues to evolve, these works will likely maintain their value as some of the “firsts” of their kind.