The Entrepreneur as Fine-Art Collector

When Edvard Munch's famous "Scream" painting fetched a staggering $119 million at auction this week, it stunned much of the art world. But if you take a peak into the homes of some founders and CEOs, you might just be shocked at the art they've invested in: Renior, Monet, Picasso. It seems, entrepreneurs love art. Here's a look at the notorious owners of big ticket art.

Like most high-profile collectors, the billionaire founder of Microsoft has kept his personal art collection private…or at least, he has tried. It's rumored that he has a penchant for American artists like Winslow Homer and Andrew Wyeth. But Gates's corporate art collection is out on view in more than 180 corporate buildings around the world. It includes striking sculptures like Jean Shin's "Soundwave" (pictured) and Bean Finneran's "Chartreuse Cone."

With a collection worth $1 billion, Geffen has become a notorious collector, as well as seller of great works. He reportedly owns contemporary artist Jasper Johns's "Target with Plaster Casts," a bold painting and sculpture of much envy among art lovers (pictured). He has also made hundreds of millions of dollars on selling works by both Johns and 21st Century abstract expressionist Willem de Kooning.

Unlike other collectors, the hip-hop mogul has been pretty vocal about his collection. "I got a couple [of Warhols]. I have one of the Rorschach over my fireplace in my living room," he told radio host Howard Stern in 2010. "I have an Ed Ruscha, David Hammons, whether it makes a ton of money for me or not." But it seems, Warhol or not, all Carter's art must be cleared by wife, singer Beyonce. Carter famously brought home a provocative photo by artist Laurie Simmons (pictured), which showed a gun and a pair of legs. Beyonce wouldn't let him hang it in their house.

Do these dancers look familiar?
Kravis reportedly owns Edgar Degas's "Danseuse au Repos"—and it's a true love affair. He reportedly dropped $28 million for the work 10 years ago, but sold it. Then in 2008, he spent $37 million at a Sotheby's to buy it back. His total collection is worth a rumored $700 million.

Like his co-founder Gates, Allen's personal collection is the subject of much speculation. He reportedly loves French Impressionists and at one point bought Claude Monet's "Rouen Cathedral: Afternoon Effect" for an unknown price tag. Also rumored to be in his collection: a painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. His lot is reportedly worth $800 million.

The media master doesn't own Monet's or Renoir's, but she apparently has a lot of love for just one artist: American multimedia artist Faith Ringgold. The artists works include drawing, quilting, painting—often mixed together in one work (pictured is an example of her work). Winfrey reportedly champions the African-American's artist and has several works in her own private collection.