Naked women painting sets auction record

A painting by British artist Lucian Freud, grandson of psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, breaks a global record for living artists

A Christie's auction house spokeswoman says a painting by British artist Lucian Freud has broken a global record for living artists by fetching more than $33 million (euro21.33 million) at a New York sale. Spokeswoman Sara Fox says an anonymous buyer won Tuesday's bidding for Freud's "Benefits Supervisor Sleeping."

HT Image

The life-size 1995 portrait depicts a nude woman sleeping on a worn-out sofa. At more than $33.6 million (euro21.72 million), the price easily topped the $23.6 million (euro15.25 million) record for living artists. It was set in November by Jeff Koons' "Hanging Heart" sculpture.

The 85-year-old Freud is the grandson of psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. Tuesday's sale also included "Studies for Self Portrait," by British artist Francis Bacon. Fox says it sold for more than $28 million (euro18.1 million). The prices include the auction house's commission, known as the buyer's premium.