Previewing the lot last month, Christie’s described the painting of Christ holding a crystal orb in his left hand and raising his right in benediction as “the biggest discovery of the 21st century”. There’ll never be another painting that I shall sell for more than this painting tonight.” “It’s the zenith of my career as an auctioneer. Record private sales are believed to include $250m for a painting by Paul Cézanne and $300m for a Paul Gauguin.Īfter the sale, Pylkkänen said the sale had been his “ultimate privilege. The sale places Salvator Mundi as the highest-priced work sold privately or at auction, including Pablo Picasso’s 1955 Women of Algiers (Version O), sold for $179.4m, and Amedeo Modigliani’s 1917-18 Reclining Nude, sold for $170.4m. “They wanted to get the job done quicker, but it still took a long time.”
Probably, they knew there was room before the end of the competition.” “They reflected the importance of the painting and that some of the bidders were conscious that the price would go higher than their bids. The abrupt $20m and $30m jumps in price were indeed unusual, Cerutti confirmed. “I cannot say if he or she will want to be public.”Īt the height of the auction, as many of six bidders were in play. The auction house would not reveal the identity of the buyer or even the region from which they came.Ĭhristie’s CEO, Guillaume Cerutti, said he did not know whether the buyer would reveal themselves. The saleroom erupted in cheers and applause. “Four hundred million selling here at Christie’s. “Thank you all for your bidding,” said Pylkkänen.