Paying the Big Bucks Again

Art auctions are getting their groove back. After suffering from slumping sales and apprehensive buyers, high stakes art auctioneers such as Christie's and Sotheby's are beginning to bring in the big bucks again. Inside Beat takes a look at recently sold Picasso's, on-the-market Warhol's, and other bank-breaking pieces when dropping a few million on art is returning to popularity.

The Record Breaker

Piece: "Nude, Green Leaves and Bust" by Pablo Picasso, 1932

Auctioneer: Christie's

Date Sold: May 4, 2010

Price: $106.5 million

Claim to Fame: The most expensive painting ever sold at an auction

Second Place

Piece: "Walking Man I" by Alberto Giacormetti, 1961

Auctioneer: Sotheby's

Date Sold: Feb. 3, 2010

Price: $104.3 million

Claim to Fame: Was the record-holder for most expensive piece until Picasso's beat it three months later

Warhol's Pop

Piece: "Coca-Cola [4] [Large Coca-Cola]" by Andy Warhol, 1962

Auctioneer: Sotheby's

To Be Sold: Nov. 9, 2010

Expected Price: $20-25 million

Claim to Fame: Last of four individual Coke bottle paintings

More Soda

Piece: "Ice Cream Soda" by Roy Lichtenstein, 1962

Auctioneer: Sotheby's

To Be Sold: Nov. 9, 2010

Expected Price: $12-18 million

Claim to Fame: Featured in one of the first ever Pop Art exhibitions