They say a picture is worth a thousand words; this Tuesday a picture was worth $4.3 million, making it the most expensive photograph in the world. The photo is 'Rhein II' (1999) by Andreas Gursky. 
 
 Gursky is known for his large, disorienting landscapes. At once majestic and alienating, they don't require a lot of explanation. This photo is meant to be stared at. 
 
 Of his works, Gursky has explained: "Maybe to try to understand not just that we are living in a certain building or in a certain location, but to become aware that we are living on a planet that is going at enormous speed through the universe." 
 
 Least happy about the big sale? Cindy Sherman, who previously held the title for her well-known work 'Untitled #96' (1981), which in May broke the previous record at $3.9 million. However, before Sherman broke this record another Gursky photograph held the prized distinction, and has since 2006. We hope Sherman enjoyed her time on top, but Gursky looks like a tough act to beat. ||||| A 1999 photograph of the Rhine river by German artist Andreas Gursky has sold for $4.3 million in New York City, setting a record for any photograph sold at auction. 
 
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 This 1999 photograph provided by Chrisitie's shows the Rhine river by German artist Andreas Gursky. Titled "Rhein II," the chromogenic color print face-mounted to acrylic glass was sold for $4.3 million... (Associated Press) 
 
 Titled "Rhein II," the chromogenic color print face-mounted to acrylic glass, had a pre-sale estimate of $2.5 million to $3.5 million. 
 
 It sold Tuesday at Christie's. The buyer was not disclosed. 
 
 The previous record for any photography sold at auction was Cindy Sherman's "Untitled," which fetched $3.8 million at Christie's in May. 
 
 Gursky's panoramic image of the Rhine is one of an edition of six photographs. Four are in major museums, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Tate Modern in London. ||||| Legendary Photographer Peter Lik Shatters World Record With $6.5 Million Sale Of "Phantom" 
 
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 SOURCE LIK USA 
 
 Award-Winning Photographer Now Holds Four of the Top 20 Most Expensive Photographs Ever Sold 
 
 LAS VEGAS, Dec. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, LIK USA™ announced the sale of the most expensive photograph in history by world-renowned fine art photographer, Peter Lik. "Phantom" sold to a private collector for an unprecedented $6.5 million. The purchase also included Lik's masterworks "Illusion" for $2.4 million and "Eternal Moods" for $1.1 million. With this $10 million sale, Lik now holds four of the top 20 spots for most expensive photographs ever sold. He already has a position in the ranking with a previous $1 million sale of famed image, "One." 
 
 "The purpose of all my photos is to capture the power of nature and convey it in a way that inspires someone to feel passionate and connected to the image," said award-winning fine art photographer Peter Lik. 
 
 "Phantom" and "Eternal Moods" are black and white representations of Lik's iconic images "Ghost" and "Eternal Beauty." Lik is known for his artistic approach to landscape photography and capturing Mother Nature's vibrant colors. His use of black and white imagery is a rare and compelling departure from his normal style. 
 
 "Certain textures and contours found in nature lend themselves beautifully to black and white photography," said Lik. "The intensity of contrasting light and dark spaces was surprising, but made for some of the most powerful images I've ever created." 
 
 The private buyer is represented by Joshua Roth of the Glaser Weil Fink Howard Avchen & Shapiro, LLP firm, 10250 Constellation Blvd., 19th Floor, Los Angeles, Calif. 90067, who indicated his client preferred not to be publicly identified for security and privacy reasons. Peter Lik and LIK USA™ are represented by their attorney, Mark G. Tratos of Greenberg Traurig, LLP. 
 
 "It is noteworthy that the sales of these photographic works denote another milestone in the development of fine art photography, as well as a new benchmark for the value of Peter Lik works," said Tratos. 
 
 These sales may be confirmed through the buyer's counsel, Joshua Roth. 
 
 "Our client is a long-time collector of Lik's works and is delighted to add these one-of-a-kind photographs to his impressive collection," said Roth. 
 
 About Peter Lik 
 
 Peter Lik began capturing the wonders of nature as a young boy in his native Australia and never stopped. In 1984, Lik migrated to the U.S. and discovered his passion for panoramic photography. One of Lik's most notable projects, "Spirit of America," is a 50-state landscape exploration of perilous deserts, ethereal mountain peaks, lush fields and glimmering cityscapes. Peter Lik's love for America and its landscapes led him to become a naturalized citizen in 2013. Over the years, Lik's career has been marked with award wins as a Master Photographer from both the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) and the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). He has also been awarded fellowships from the British Institute of Professional Photographers (BIPP) and The Royal Photographic Society (RPS). In 2011, Peter jumped into mainstream culture by starring in the NBC-produced TV series, "From the Edge with Peter Lik." With 14 galleries around the United States, Peter Lik counts presidents and celebrities among his collectors. Lik's masterworks "Ghost" and "Inner Peace" have been included in an exhibition of Nature's Best Photography at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. 
 
 Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141209/163074 
 
 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/legendary-photographer-peter-lik-shatters-world-record-with-65-million-sale-of-phantom-300006716.html 
 
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– Have you ever gazed upon a river and thought, “This would make a lovely photograph that someone would pay millions of dollars for”? No? Well, that’s why you’re not Andreas Gursky. A chromogenic color print of the Gursky photo below, entitled Rhein II, sold for a whopping $4.3 million at Christie’s in New York this week, the AP reports, making it the most expensive photo ever sold at auction. With the sale, Gursky reclaims the most-expensive crown from Cindy Sherman, whose Untitled #96 sold for $3.9 million in May, the Huffington Post reports. Before that, the most expensive sale was Gursky’s 99 Cent II Diptychon for almost $3.4 million. Of course, everyone’s a critic; Gizmodo snickers at Rhein II, saying it’s “as bland as it is expensive.” But HuffPo disagrees, declaring, “This photo is meant to be stared at.”