Christie's announced on Monday that a painting of the late American star Marilyn Monroe, created by pop art icon Andy Warhol in the 1960s, will be auctioned in May with an estimated value of around $200 million, which would set a record. Alex Rotter, head of 20th and 21st Century Art at Christie's, stated that the painting titled "Shot Sage Blue Marilyn" is "expected to be the most expensive painting from the 20th century sold at auction."
The artwork, depicting Monroe's face from 1964 with shiny blonde hair, a pink face, and light blue eye shadow, is one of five paintings Warhol made of Monroe. Rotter commented, "Warhol used a silkscreen technique in these paintings, and specifically in this one, and he never used it again. It was a very complex style."
This painting was owned by the Thomas and Doris Amann Foundation in Zurich, and all proceeds from the sale will go to the foundation, which is dedicated to improving the lives of children worldwide. Mark Porter, chairman of Christie's American branch, remarked, "The sale of this painting alone will be the highest-grossing charity auction since the Peggy and David Rockefeller collection in 2018."
Christie's notes that the highest price paid for a Warhol painting was for "Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster)," which sold for $105 million in 2013.
