Painting of cartoon girl by Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara was sold for $24.9 million in Hong Kong. The artwork 'Knife Behind Back' was sold through bidding at Sotheby’s sale of modern art, the convention centre where protests were held. Nara's painting attracted six bidders and was sold in just 10 minutes. It is the largest canvas by the artist ever to appear at auction. Nara's previous biggest auction record was set for Sleepless Night (Cat), from 1999. It was auctioned for $4.45 million at Christie's Hong Kong. Nara completed the seven-foot by seven-foot canvas 2000 after spending 12 years in Germany. Madhya Pradesh: Paintings of 80-Year-Old Tribal Woman Jodhaiya Bai Baiga From Umaria on Exhibition at Milan in Italy.

According to Sotheby, it was sold at five times the artist's auction record. Nara created the painting in 2000 after he returned to Japan following 12 years in Germany. It is the largest canvas by the artist ever to appear at auction. While other things on offer at the event were jewels, watches and fine. As the bidding was held inside, the streets of Hong Kong were engulfed in tear gas and protestors.

Sharing a picture of the painting on Twitter, Sotheby’s tweeted saying, "#AuctionUpdate A new world auction record for Yoshitomo Nara has been achieved in our #HongKong Contemporary Art Evening Sale, with 'Knife Behind Back', sold for HK$196m / US$25m, nearly five times the previous auction record set earlier today." Banksy’s Self-Shredding Painting ‘Love Is in the Bin’ Goes on Display in Germany.

Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara's Paint 'Knife Behind Back':

The event includes 20 live auctions that are expected to get more than $336 million. On Tuesday, the auction hall for Chinese antiques a rare pouch-shaped glass vase from the Qing dynasty sold for $22.95 million. Meanwhile, Zao Wou-Ki's '21.04.59' was sold for $13.3 million.  The sales included 20 live auctions and target more than $336 million.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 08, 2019 03:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).