"Rhein II" is a photograph by German artist Andreas Gursky. It was taken in 1999 and is part of a series of photographs by Gursky that depict various landscapes, cityscapes, and other scenes in a highly abstract and stylized manner.

"Rhein II" specifically depicts a section of the Rhine River in Germany. The photograph shows a flat, gray landscape, with the river running horizontally across the frame and a strip of grassy land visible on the far bank. The image is almost completely devoid of any human presence or activity.

Despite its seemingly simple subject matter, "Rhein II" has become one of the most famous and expensive photographs in the world. In 2011, a print of the photograph sold for $4.3 million at Christie's auction house, setting a new record for the most expensive photograph ever sold at the time.

#3 Untitled #96 - Cindy sherman (1981) $ 3.9 million

"Cindy Sherman (1981)" is a photograph by American artist Cindy Sherman. It was sold for $3.9 million in May 2011 at Christie's auction house in New York, setting a record at the time for the highest price paid for a photograph at auction.

The photograph is part of Sherman's "Untitled Film Stills" series, which she created in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The series consists of 69 black and white photographs of the artist herself, in which she poses as various female characters from B-movie stills and other popular culture images.

"Cindy Sherman (1981)" depicts the artist in a classic film noir pose, with dramatic lighting and a pensive expression. The photograph is considered one of the most iconic images from the "Untitled Film Stills" series, and it has been widely reproduced and referenced in popular culture.

#4  To  Her Majesty - Gilbert & George (1973) $ 3.9 million 

To Her Majesty" is a controversial artwork by the British artists Gilbert & George. It was created in 1973 and consists of thirteen black and white photographic prints arranged in a grid, with the Union Jack flag overlaid on top. The images depict the artists performing various actions, such as making Nazi salutes, vomiting, and urinating.

In 2018, a copy of "To Her Majesty" sold at auction for £3.1 million (approximately $3.9 million USD). The sale was part of a larger auction of contemporary art at Sotheby's in London.

The artwork has been the subject of much debate and criticism over the years. Some have praised it as a provocative commentary on British identity and nationalism, while others have condemned it as offensive and disrespectful. Nevertheless, it remains a significant piece of contemporary art and a testament to the power of artistic expression to challenge social norms and provoke discussion.

#5 Dead Troops Talk - Jeff Wall ( 1992) $3.7 million

"Dead Troops Talk" is a photograph created by Jeff Wall in 1992. The photograph features a surrealistic depiction of a group of Soviet soldiers who have been killed in battle, lying on the ground and engaging in conversation with each other.

The photograph is notable for its size, measuring over 7 feet by 13 feet, and for the level of detail and realism in its composition. Wall used a combination of digital and analog techniques to create the image, which took several months to complete.

The photograph is part of a larger series of works by Wall that explore the relationship between art and history, and the role of photography in shaping our understanding of the past. It has been exhibited in major art museums and galleries around the world, and is considered one of the most important works of contemporary photography.

In 2012, a print of "Dead Troops Talk" sold at auction for $3.7 million, setting a new record for the sale of a photograph. The photograph's high price is a testament to its importance in the world of contemporary art and its enduring impact on the history of photography.

#6 Untitled ( Cowboy)  - Richard  Prince (2001-2002) $3.4 million

"Untitled (Cowboy)" is a famous artwork by Richard Prince, created in 2001-2002. It is part of his "Cowboy" series, which features enlarged and cropped photographs of cowboys taken from Marlboro cigarette advertisements. The artwork was sold for $3.4 million at a Christie's auction in 2014.

Richard Prince is a well-known American artist who is best known for his appropriation of popular culture images in his artworks. He has been active since the 1970s and has been influential in the development of postmodern art. "Untitled (Cowboy)" is one of his most famous works, and it has been exhibited in several major museums and galleries around the world.

#7  99Cent II , Diptychon - Andreas Gursky( 2001) $3.3 million

"99 Cent II, Diptychon" is a photograph by German artist Andreas Gursky, taken in 2001. The photograph depicts the interior of a 99 Cents Only store in Los Angeles, California, with rows of brightly colored products arranged in a grid-like pattern. The image is a large-scale diptych, consisting of two panels measuring approximately 7 feet by 11 feet each.

The photograph has gained significant attention in the art world for its stunning composition, vibrant colors, and commentary on consumer culture and the global economy. It has been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world and is considered one of the most expensive photographs ever sold, with a price tag of $3.3 million at auction in 2007.

Gursky is known for his large-scale photographs that often depict urban and industrial landscapes, and his work is celebrated for its attention to detail and use of color. "99 Cent II, Diptychon" is a prime example of his style, and its high price reflects the demand for his unique vision and artistic talent.

#8 Los Angeles- Andreas Gursky( 1998) $2.9 million

The Pond-Moonlight" is a photograph taken by American photographer Edward Steichen in 1904. The photograph depicts a serene, moonlit scene of a pond, with trees and foliage surrounding it. The moon is visible in the sky, casting a soft light on the water and creating a dreamy, ethereal atmosphere.

Steichen used a process called gum bichromate printing to create the photograph. This involved coating a sheet of paper with a light-sensitive emulsion, then exposing it to light through a negative. The paper was then developed in water and pigments were added to create the final image.

"The Pond-Moonlight" is considered a masterpiece of early 20th-century photography, and it was one of the first photographs to be recognized as a work of art. It is also notable for its use of atmospheric lighting and its evocative, romantic mood.

#10 Untitled #153 - Cindy sherman (1985) $2.7 million

"Untitled #153" is a photograph created by American artist Cindy Sherman in 1985. It is part of her "Untitled Film Stills" series, which features Sherman herself in various guises and poses, often drawing on the imagery of Hollywood films and other sources of popular culture.

The photograph was sold for $2.7 million in 1997 at Christie's auction house in New York, making it one of the most expensive photographs ever sold at that time. Since then, it has been exhibited in several major museums and galleries around the world, and is widely considered a seminal work of contemporary art.

Sherman's "Untitled Film Stills" series has been praised for its exploration of gender roles, identity, and the representation of women in media, and has had a profound influence on subsequent generations of artists. "Untitled #153" is a particularly striking example of the series, featuring Sherman in the guise of a young, vulnerable woman, staring intently at the viewer and inviting us to question our assumptions about the roles that women are expected to play in society.