Jeff Koons

Undisputed master of art, Jeff Koons is neither more nor less than the most expensive living artist in the world. Born in 1955 in York, the United States he is famous for its giant sculptures and paintings but specially for his talent for provocation.

He studied at the School of Fine Arts of Baltimore, but he started a career in finance as a stockbroker in Wall Street. Jeff Koons managed to combine his talent as trader and his passion for art by becoming himself the best investment of the twentieth century.

Jeff Koons was particularly marked by the ideology and aesthetics of the American Pop Art of the 80s. Consumer objects and everyday utensils will gain value in his hands. He gives the "ready made" the status of work of art, starting with vacuum cleaners or basketballs.

Particularly fond of Kitsch, Jeff Koons will exploit to the utmost this field and conquer collectors all around the world. He uses the icons of American pop culture to add them to this aesthetic. Michael Jackson frozen in a white and gold porcelain, Popeye rutile like a balloon in stainless steel and an inflatable Hulk full of anger.

Jeff Koons' notoriety and work took a turning point in 1991 when the artist got married to the pornographic actress Ilona Staller Anna, also known as Cicciolina. Together they made the sulphurous creation "Made In Heaven", in which the couple play erotic games and more. This was an absolute media success which enhanced the reputation of Jeff Koons.

His works are now made by craftsmen in a studio in Chelsea, near New York, under his leadership, a process which in turn speak of the artist. In addition to being the favorite one of billionaires, Jeff Koons is also exposed worldwide. He will be remembered especially for his royal entrance to the Palace of Versailles in 2008 accompanied of his Balloon Dogs and his Inflatable Rabbit, not to mention his retrospective exhibition at the Centre Pompidou in 2014.

His work Rabbit was auctioned in 2019 by the Christie's auction house in New York and was sold for 91 million dollars. This historic sale made of this sculpture the most expensive piece created by a living artist.