SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 26 April 2024, Friday |

Warhol painting of Marilyn Monroe expected to fetch $200 million at auction

Christie’s said on Monday that a picture of actress Marilyn Monroe by 1960s pop legend Andy Warhol, estimated to be worth $200 million, will be auctioned in May, setting a new record.

“Shot Sage Blue Marilyn,” according to Alex Rotter, Christie’s chairman of 20th and 21st century art, “is poised to be the most expensive painting of the twentieth century ever sold at auction.”

One of five paintings by Warhol depicting Monroe’s face, screenprinted with brilliant yellow hair, a pink face, and light blue eyeshadow, was created in 1964.

“On these paintings, on this painting, he utilized a screening method that he never used again,” says Warhol. “It was just too sophisticated and involved,” Rotter remarked.

The piece was created by the Zurich-based Thomas and Doris Ammann Foundation. The charity will get 100% of the earnings from the sale, which is dedicated to improving the lives of children around the world.

“The sale of this single artwork will be the largest grossing charity auction since Peggy and David Rockefeller’s collection in 2018,” said Marc Porter, Christie’s American Chairman.

According to Christie’s, the highest price paid for a Warhol was $105 million in 2013 for the artwork “Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster).”

    Source:
  • Reuters