New York auction of Warhol's 'Marilyn' sold for record $195 million

Robert Besser
13 May 2022, 17:03 GMT+10

Andy Warhol's iconic portrait of Marilyn Monroe, "Shot Sage Blue Marilyn," sold for $195 million this week, making it the most expensive work by a U.S. artist ever sold at auction
According to Christie's auction house in New York, where the auction took place, the 1964 silkscreen image of Monroe was the most expensive piece from the 20th century ever auctioned
The Warhol sale surpassed the previous record holder and another modern master, Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose 1982 painting of a skull-like face, "Untitled," sold for a record $110.5 million at Sotheby's in 2017

NEW YORK CITY, New York: Andy Warhol's iconic portrait of Marilyn Monroe, "Shot Sage Blue Marilyn," sold for $195 million this week, making it the most expensive work by a U.S. artist ever sold at auction.

According to Christie's auction house in New York, where the auction took place, the 1964 silkscreen image of Monroe was the most expensive piece from the 20th century ever auctioned.

The Warhol sale surpassed the previous record holder and another modern master, Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose 1982 painting of a skull-like face, "Untitled," sold for a record $110.5 million at Sotheby's in 2017.

Earlier, Christie's predicted that Warhol's Marilyn could sell for as much as $200 million.

"It is an amazing price. Let it sink in, it is quite something," said Alex Rotter of Christie's, as quoted by the Associated Press.

Guillaume Cerutti, CEO of Christie's, noted, "This is where we wanted to be, clearly. It proves we are in a very resilient art market."

The proceeds of the auction will go to the Thomas and Doris Ammann Foundation Zurich, which aims to help children by launching healthcare and educational programs.

More than one image of Monroe was created by Warhol, but the one sold this week has been exhibited in museums around the world.