Jimu news reporter Hu Xiuwen
On May 9, Shot Sage Blue Marilyn," a masterpiece by Andy Warhol (1928-1987), was sold for $195 million (about 1.312 billion yuan), according to the Associated Press. This iconic portrait of Marilyn Monroe became the highest-priced work ever auctioned by an American artist and the most expensive of 20th-century works.
Andy Warhol's masterpiece Shot Sage Blue Marilyn Credit: Associated Press
Created in 1964, the portrait shows a vibrant close-up of Monroe — short yellow hair, blue eyeshadow and big red lips. Christie's auction house said it was also the most expensive 20th-century work in auction history.
Warhol's work beat previous record holder, maestro Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988). In 2017, his 1982 skull-faced painting Untitled sold at Sotheby's for a record $110.5 million (about 740 million yuan).
Shot Sage Blue Marilyn Credit: The Associated Press
Christie's said that on the evening of May 9, an unnamed buyer bought "Shooting Marilyn (Sage Blue)" for $195 million. When the auction was announced earlier this year, they estimated that the auction price could be as high as $200 million.
"It's an amazing price." Alex Rotter, president of Christie's art department responsible for auctions of works from the 20th and 21st centuries, said. Guillaume Cerutti, Chief Executive of Christie's, said: "It's clear that's what we want to achieve. This proves that we are in a very resilient art market. ”
The painting was sold by the Thomas and Doris Amman Foundation in Zurich, Switzerland, and the proceeds from the auction belong to it, which aims to help children through health care and education programs.
It is reported that Warhol created more than one portrait of Monroe, and this particular portrait at auction has been exhibited in museums around the world.