The most expensive painting in the world

A painting by Jackson "Jack the Dripper" Pollock has reportedly been sold at Sotheby's in New York for $140-million US. At $4-million per square foot, this would make it the world's most expensive painting. Entitled Number 5, 1948, the painting was sold by David Geffen, America's 45th richest man according to Forbes, to David Martinez, a Mexican financier.

The artist created the work during his drip period, when he was getting in touch with his subconscious by simply pouring paint onto the surface. Jackson is considered by many to be America's premier artist, the man who broke away from the European tradition.

Still, $140-million is lot of money, even for the drippings of genius.