An Andy Warhol portrait of Marilyn Monroe has sold for $195 million at Christie's, setting a record for an American artwork at auction
The story behind “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn” likely gave Warhol some added luster and helped Christie’s justify the price-tag. Warhol created five silk-screens of the star in this particular “Marilyn” series. Each one has a different background such as red, orange, blue, sage blue and turquoise.
In 1964, artist Dorothy Podber spotted the group stacked against a wall in Warhol’s studio. She asked if she could shoot them. Warhol agreed, thinking she intended to photograph the works. Instead, she took out a gun and fired at the group of “Marilyn” works in Warhol’s studio, known as the Factory. Warhol repaired the red and blue works that were damaged; the others, including this sage-blue version, were unscathed.
The incident’s notoriety has since turned these “Shot Marilyns” into plums sought after by some of the art world’s biggest buyers including newsprint executive Peter Brant, Greek shipping tycoon Philip Niarchos and hedge-fund manager Steven Cohen. The seller of this “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn” version was an eponymous foundation created by Doris Ammann, a well-known Zurich dealer who died at age 76 last year, and her late brother, Thomas, a dealer who died in 1993.
Ms. Ammann and her younger brother, Thomas, bought this sage-blue version from publishing magnate Si Newhouse. Proceeds from its resale will now go to charities selected by the Ammann’s foundation—with input from Mr. Gagosian or the anonymous client he was potentially buying for, Christie’s said.Appeared in the May 10, 2022, print edition as 'Warhol Portrait of Marilyn Monroe Sells for Record $195 Million.
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Andy Warhol's ‘Marilyn' Sells for $195 Million, Setting Record for American ArtAndy Warhol’s 1964 portrait of Marilyn Monroe sold for $195 million at Christie’s Monday night, becoming the most expensive work of American art ever sold.
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Andy Warhol’s $195 Million Portrait Of Marilyn Monroe Breaks Record For Most Expensive American ArtworkI am a Texas native covering breaking news out of New York City. I was previously an editorial assistant at the Forbes London bureau. Follow me on Twitter reporterfield.
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Andy Warhol’s ‘Marilyn’ Portrait Sells for Record-Setting $195M“Shot Sage Blue Marilyn” was sold to dealer Larry Gagosian after a four-minute bidding battle.
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Warhol’s $200 million ‘Marilyn’ could test art market’s healthOn Monday evening in a charity auction at Christie’s, Andy Warhol’s 1964 silk-screen of Marilyn Monroe, “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn,” is estimated to sell for about $200 million.
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