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Picasso Painting Brings In Record $106.5MM
By
Jen Carlson
Published May 5, 2010
Modified May 5, 2010
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By
Jen Carlson
Published May 5, 2010
Modified May 5, 2010
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The art world is in the money once again. A 78-year-old Pablo Picasso painting titled "Nude, Green Leaves and Bust" just sold at Christie's last night for a record $106.5 million, though the auction house only expected around $70 million. The bidder is undisclosed, and called in to the Rockefeller Center salesroom. The painting is 5-by-4-foot and depicts Picasso's blond mistress, Marie-Therese Walter. Dealer Daniella Luxembourg told the Wall Street Journal she was surprised it took over the initial estimate, but that "the purchase reflected the market's volatile mood. 'This is a fantastic picture, but the market also wants trophies right now.'" Wonder how much the blowjob painting he denied having anything to do with would go for? (Currently it's hanging at the Met.)
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Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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