Andy Warhol's Iconic Marilyn Monroe Painting Becomes Most Expensive Piece of American Art Sold in Just 3 Minutes of Bidding

Andy Warhol's iconic Marilyn Monroe painting became the most expensive piece of American art ever sold after it was sold for $195 million at a Christie's charity auction Monday night.

According to New York Post, the said painting, titled "Shot Sage Blue Marilyn," shattered the previous record set by New Yorker Jean-Michel Basquiat in less than four minutes of bidding. The late Brooklyn artist's untitled 1982 skull painting reportedly fetched $110.5 million at a Sotheby's auction in New York in 2017.

According to Artnet, Warhol's Marilyn Monroe painting measures 40 inches by 40 inches. It was based on the late actress' publicity photo for the film "Niagara."

"Shot Sage Blue Marilyn is the absolute pinnacle of American pop. The painting transcends the genre of portraiture, superseding 20th century art and culture," said Alex Rotter, chairman of 20th and 21st century art at Christie's, as reported by The Guardian.

Warhol's Marilyn Monroe painting is one in a series of portraits he made of Monroe after her death in 1962. The said masterpiece has become one of pop art's best-known pieces.

Reports claimed that the auction house estimated Warhol's 1964 painting at $200 million before the event. The winning bidder was reportedly art dealer Larry Gagosian, who owns a chain of galleries.

Christie's said the sale proceeds would go to the Thomas and Doris Ammann Foundation in Zurich, which works to establish healthcare and education programs for children worldwide.

Andy Warhol's "Shot Sage Blue Marilyn" is reportedly one of the greatest paintings of all time, which stands alongside Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa," Botticelli's "Birth of Venus," and Picasso's "Les Demoiselle d'Avignon."

Other Pricey Andy Warhol Paintings

Andy Warhol has other art pieces also sold expensively in the market. Warhol's second most expensive art sold was his "Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster)," which was made in 1963.

The estimated price for this artwork was undisclosed, but it was sold at $105.4 million at Sotheby's New York on November 13, 2013.

Another pricey artwork of Warhol was his 1963's "Triple Elvis." The said art piece was estimated at around $30 million. But it was sold at $81.9 million at Christie's New York on November 12, 2014.

Andy Warhol's 1963 "Green Car Crash" is another art piece sold at a high price. The estimated price was around $25 million to $35 million, but it was bought at $71.7 million at Christie's New York on May 16, 2007.

Who Is Andy Warhol?

Andy Warhol is an American artist and filmmaker who is an initiator and leading exponent of the Pop art movement of the 1960s.

Warhol began painting in the 1950s and received sudden notoriety in 1962 when he showed paintings of Campbell's soup cans, Coca Cola bottles, and wood replicas of Brillo soap pad boxes.

In 1963, he began mass-producing these images of consumer goods through photographic silkscreen prints. He then began printing endless variations of portraits of celebrities in garnish colors.

Through his work and art pieces, Britannica noted that Warhol was placed at the forefront of America's emerging Pop art movement. He became a well-known fixture in fashion and was an influential celebrity in his own right throughout the 70s and until his death.

Andy Warhol died of cardiac arrest on February 22, 1987 following gallbladder surgery.

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Written by: Joshua Summers

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