image via Bloomberg
Francis Bacon’s Triptych, 1976, sold for an impressive $86 million dollars last night, crushing the contemporary art auction record and posing a serious counter-arguement to those who believe the recession has worked itself into the art market. The image depicts a headless Promethean being devoured by vultures; a reflection of Greek Mythology. Bacon’s painting was offered by the Moeuix family, producers of Château Petrus wines. The $86 million sale contributed to Sotheby’s triumph over Christie’s total this year. Last night, the Triptych became the most expensive piece of contemporary art ever auctioned.
Bacon’s Headless Corpse Tops Sales at Sotheby’s [Bloomberg]
Record Sale, $86 Million [NYT]
Bacon Sets New Record [BBC]
Triptych Leads Record Sales at Sotheby’s [International Herald Tribune]
Bidding Strong at Christie’s Postwar and Contemporary Art Sale [NYT]
