NEW YORK (AP) — Andy Warhol’s “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn” sold for a cool $195 million on Monday, making the iconic portrait of Marilyn Monroe the most expensive work by a U.S. artist ever sold at auction.
The 1964 silkscreen image shows Monroe in vibrant close-up — hair yellow, eyeshadow blue and lips red — on a rich blue background. It’s also the most expensive piece from the 20th century ever auctioned, according to Christie’s auction house in New York, where the sale took place.
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The Warhol sale unseated the previous record holder and another modern master, Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose 1982 painting “Untitled” of a skull-like face sold for a record $110.5 million at Sotheby’s in 2017.
Christie’s said an unnamed buyer made the purchase Monday night. When the auction was announced earlier this year, they estimated it could go for as much as $200 million.
“It’s an amazing price,” said Alex Rotter, chairman of Christie’s 20th and 21st century art department. “Let it sink in, it’s quite something.”
“This is where we wanted to be, clearly,” said Guillaume Cerutti, CEO of Christie’s. “It proves we are in a very resilient art market.”
The proceeds of the sale will go to the Thomas and Doris Ammann Foundation Zurich, which put the painting up for auction. The foundation aims to help children with health care and educational programs.
Warhol created more than one image of Monroe; this particular painting has been exhibited in museums around the world.
As a seasoned art enthusiast with a deep understanding of the art market, I can attest to the significance of the recent sale of Andy Warhol's "Shot Sage Blue Marilyn" for a staggering $195 million. This iconic piece has not only become the most expensive work by a U.S. artist ever sold at auction but has also claimed the title of the most expensive piece from the 20th century ever auctioned, as reported by Christie's auction house in New York.
The 1964 silkscreen image is a vibrant and close-up portrayal of Marilyn Monroe, featuring her distinctive yellow hair, blue eyeshadow, and red lips against a rich blue background. This sale surpasses the previous record set by Jean-Michel Basquiat's 1982 painting "Untitled," which depicted a skull-like face and was sold for a record $110.5 million at Sotheby's in 2017.
Christie's had estimated the Warhol piece could fetch as much as $200 million, and the final sale price of $195 million underscores the exceptional demand and value placed on this masterpiece. The auction took place in New York, and the sale was made to an unnamed buyer on Monday night.
Alex Rotter, chairman of Christie's 20th and 21st century art department, expressed his awe at the remarkable price, emphasizing the significance of the moment. Guillaume Cerutti, CEO of Christie's, noted that this achievement demonstrates the resilience of the art market.
It's important to highlight that the proceeds from the sale will benefit the Thomas and Doris Ammann Foundation Zurich, which put the painting up for auction. The foundation's mission is to support children through healthcare and educational programs.
Andy Warhol, a prominent figure in the pop art movement, created multiple images of Marilyn Monroe during his career. This particular painting, "Shot Sage Blue Marilyn," has been exhibited in museums around the world, further solidifying its status as a cultural and artistic treasure. The auction result not only reflects the enduring popularity of Warhol's work but also contributes to the ongoing dialogue about the value and significance of art in contemporary society.
