Fine Art Photographer, Lik Sells “Phantom” for $6.5 Million

Peter Lik’s ‘Phantom’ was sold for an unprecedented $6.5 million and is the most expensive photograph in history. (PRNewsFoto/LIK USA)

By Maui Now Staff

Fine art photographer Peter Lik, who has a gallery on Front Street in Lahaina, just sold a black and white photo entitled “Phantom” to a private collector for a record $6.5 million.

The transaction marks the sale of the most expensive photograph in history, according to a press release.

“Phantom” is a black and white photo that was taken from within a subterranean cavern at Arizona’s Antelope Canyon.

The purchase also included Lik’s works “Illusion” which was sold for $2.4 million and “Eternal Moods” which sold for $1.1 million.

In a press release statement, Lik said, “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.”

With the $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 the previous $1 million sale of his famed image, “One.”

Buyer’s counsel, Joshua Roth, said the buyer is a long-time collector of Lik’s works.

Lik is originally from Australia, but much of his work features landscapes in America, where he became a naturalized citizen in 2013.

Lik has 14 galleries around the US, including his Maui location on Front Street within the Bank of Hawaiʻi building, which features his award-winning shot of a volcano entitled “Pele’s Whisper.”