Friday, May 16, 2008

Freudian


Is there still money in the art world? There is if you’re Brett or Emanuel’s phone bidders. Hold your breath and watch here as in New York Christie’s auctioneer takes Lucian Freud’s 1995 painting of Jobcentre manager Sue Tilley, Benefits Supervisor Sleeping, from an opening price of $16 million to a world record for a living artist at $US30 million ($US33,641,000 with commissions). Freud’s previous record price of $US19.3 million was set only six months ago. Let Sue Tilley have the last words, "I'm thrilled. I still can't believe such a bizarre thing has happened to me.”
Images: Top to bottom, the painting, Emanuel and, winner on the night, Brett.