Andy Warhol Marilyn Monroe portrait sells at auction for a record $195 million
An iconic Andy Warhol portrait of Marilyn Monroe just sold at auction for an eye-popping amount of money, setting a new record.
Warhol's 1964 silkscreen of Monroe, "Shot Sage Blue Marilyn," sold at auction in New York on Monday night for $195 million, the highest price tag for a piece of American art sold at auction in history, The New York Times reports.
The previous record was $110.5 million for a painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat that sold in 2017. Warhol's own "Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster)" also sold in 2013 for $105.4 million.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Shot Sage Blue Marilyn" also became the "second most expensive artwork to sell at auction of all time" behind Leonardo da Vinci's "Salvator Mundi," which sold for $450 million, according to Christie's auction house. It sold after less than four minutes of bidding, per The Guardian.
"Central to the Warhol's pantheon of pop icons, 'Shot Sage Blue Marilyn' immortalises Monroe as the embodiment of celebrity, while cementing her image into the art historical canon," Christie's said, noting Warhol began depicting Monroe in his work after her death in 1962 "struck a personal chord."
Twenty percent of the proceeds will be allocated to a charity of the buyer's choosing.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
5 timely cartoons about climate change denial
Cartoons Artists take on textbook trouble, bizarre beliefs, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Kris Kristofferson: the free-spirited country music star who studied at Oxford
In the Spotlight The songwriter, singer and film-star has died aged 88
By The Week UK Published
-
The Chagos agreement explained
In Depth Ceding the islands to Mauritius could allow China to gain foothold in the Indo-Pacific, experts have warned
By The Week UK Published
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
By The Week UK Published
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs say
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign port
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published