Amedeo Modigliani, “Nu Assis Sur un Divan (La Belle Romaine)” (1917) (image from artinfo.com)
A rare Modigliani nude hit the auction block at Sotheby’s Impressionist and Modern sale last night, and the painting didn’t disappoint. Bidding opened at $38 million and skyrocketed from there: five telephone bidders pushed the price up to a record-breaking $68,962,500, Artinfo reports.
The price places the painting, “Nu Assis Sur un Divan (La Belle Romaine)” (1917), as the 14th highest selling work at auction EVER. And everyone thought the sale of “Tête,” a Modigliani limestone sculpture, for $52.6 million in June of this year was a big deal. The auction season is just starting, so keep it locked for more paintings you will never be able to afford.
