NEW YORK, May 11 — A huge self-portrait by Jean-Michel Basquiat brought US$57.3 million (RM231.6 million) at auction in New York yesterday, a record for the late American artist, Christie's said.
His previous record came in May 2013, when his Dustheads sold for US$48.8 million.
Yesterday, an unnamed Asian collector bought the massive seven by 16 foot (two-and-a-half by five metre) 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 colours, died of a drug overdose at age 27 in 1988.
Spring art auctions in New York began late Sunday and last through tomorrow.
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 US$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 US$17.2 million, a record for a work by the Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. — AFP
