Between the millions of paintings that are created and shown in galleries and museums across the world, there exist a minimal number transcend time and making history. Apart from famous Mona Lisa, The Creation of Adams and many more, it appears that a new enigmatic painting is on the top list that will continue to echo and leave impressions in the minds of people in the centuries to come. We are talking about the British modern artist David Hockney’s celebrated painting of two men and a turquoise pool that has set a new auction record for a living artist. Reportedly, the iconic oil painting is at New York’s Christie’s for a whopping 90.3 million dollars (approximately Rs. 649 crores). Amedeo Modigliani’s Nude Painting “Nu couché (Sur le côté gauche)” Raises More Than $157 Million at Sotheby’s Auction. 

“Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)” earned a world record 10-minute battle between two bidders through telephone. The price of the 1972 painting easily surpassed the previous record held by the American artist, Jeff Koons for one of his “Balloon Dog” sculptures which were sold at 58.4 million dollars (approximately Rs. 420 crores). Christie’s did not reveal the successful bidder. According to media reports, Christie’s described it as “one of the great masterpieces of the modern era.” The picture beautifully depicts a smartly dressed man, standing on the edge of the pool, looking thoughtfully at another figure swimming towards him in glistening waters with an idyllic mountain view in the background. Marie Antoinette’s Pearl & Diamond Pendant Auctioned at Sotheby’s for Record $36.4 Million. 

As reported by BBC, Hockney’s art was previously owned by record executive David Geffen, who sold it to British billionaire Joe Lewis in 1995 and the amount has not been disclosed. The single most expensive piece of art ever sold at an auction was the eye-watering Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi which was sold last year at 450.3 million dollars (approximately about 3, 241 crores) at Christie’s.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 16, 2018 08:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).