New York (AFP) – A huge self-portrait by Jean-Michel Basquiat brought $57.3 million at auction in New York Tuesday, a record for the late American artist, Christie’s said.
His previous record came in May 2013, when his “Dustheads” sold for $48.8 million.
On Tuesday, an unnamed Asian collector bought the massive seven by 16 foot (two-and-a-half by five meter) untitled self-portrait from 1982, painted in Italy.
The young Haitian-American artist, who pictured himself in the work with a demonic image among popping colors, died of a drug overdose at age 27 in 1988.
Spring art auctions in New York began late Sunday and last through Thursday.
The 1,500-odd pieces up for sale this week are expected to bring in more than a billion dollars.
Auguste Rodin’s “Eternal Springtime” marble sculpture of lovers fetched more than $20 million Monday, a record for the French sculptor, at Sotheby’s in New York.
A statue of Hitler on his knees was auctioned Sunday for $17.2 million, a record for a work by the Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan.
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