Modigliani nude painting fetches record $170.4M in NY

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By ULA ILNYTZKY

NEW YORK (AP) — A painting by Amedeo Modigliani fetched $170.4 million at an auction Monday, setting a world record for the artist and achieving the second highest price ever garnered for a work of art at auction.

"Reclining Nude" was sold at Christie's in Manhattan after a protracted bidding battle to a buyer who wished to remain anonymous, according to the auction house.

Considered one of his best known works, the 1917-1918 painting nearly created a scandal when it was first exhibited in Paris. It depicts an unknown nude model reclining on a crimson couch and blue cushion.

The previous auction record for a Modigliani was $71 million.

FULL story at link.


FILE - This undated image provided by Christie's shows the painting "Reclining Nude," created in 1917 to 1918 by Amedeo Modigliani, that caused a scandal nearly a century ago. The painting is going on the auction block and will be the highlight of Christie's Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, sale in New York. (Courtesy of Christie's Images via AP, File)

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/5a8617796eee42eca2d792d4a573c0be/christies-auctions-poised-set-various-artist-records

[zentrum]

1. Yeah, but the heirs

….of the artist receive nothing. It's the gentrification of art. These guys would turn in their graves if they knew what was happening.

[valerief]

2. The wealthy don't know what to spend their money on.

They just don't want to spend it on people who need it.

[TexasBushwhacker]

3. Yeah, pretty disgusting

At some point some get donated to museums, which is where the belong.

[Unknown Beatle]

4. You're not kidding.

Their mansions look like museums filled with works of art. But ask them for a crumb and they say to get a job, even though they're the ones outsourcing and refuse to pay a living wage.

[houston16revival]

9. You might love this article

to find a place to display your art

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/philadelphia-real-estate/For-sale-3-holiday-party-palaces-in-Bucks-County.html

[Unknown Beatle]

12. Okay. I'll take all three.

Cash, check, or PayPal?

[Big_Mike]

10. I absolutely LOVE your image

From what I've read, I don't believe Dr. Guevara would ever have of shirts with his image on them, but would have approved of the revolutionary message. Given what's happened since Bolivia, I love the message.

Plus, I'm a huge Bernie fan.

[valerief]

11. Got it from Fawke Em's post.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1280&pid=72177

[demosincebirth]

5. No comparison to the Masters.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. I actually grew up with a Modigliani in the house

a reproduction of this one -



I think my mother bought it during a period when we were very young and she had taken up oil painting as a hobby (and was getting some lessons from a neighbor at the time). I could always tell his paintings due to the characteristic "long bridge of the nose".

[Helen Borg]

7. The real thing must be really something...

Compared to what I see on my screen...

[Blue_Tires]

8. +1000