Why does a dove of peace Picasso sell for millions? How much should it cost?

What determines the value in art? If we measure the value with the commodity of time, than we must agree that art that took the longest to create would be the most valuable. In this case, a piece of art such as the carving Stone Mountain, in Stone Mountain Georgia is extremely valuable. It took from 1916 to 1972 to complete (from concept to dedication ceremony). It would cost a million times more than any one of the 21 peace posters of Pablo Picasso’s (which took mere minutes to create).

If we decide that skill is the commodity that determines value, than we must look at some of the masters such as Michelangelo or Rodin who were truly craftsmen in their art. If vision, than we would have to include any of the amazing inventions such as the automobile (artistic vision in design and revolutionary vision in use). So where does that leave the simple line drawings in this determination of value?

When we think of Picasso’s Dove of Peace, I have to ask myself, “where is the value?” It certainly isn’t in the time; not so much in the skill; perhaps in the vision…but maybe most in the idea that is communicated. It is a simple symbol that has been used repeatedly to represent peace. What price can we put on peace? If we look at this simple work of art and are mindful of peace… for this reason alone, perhaps Picasso’s simple line drawing is the most valuable of all.