"Record-breaking Picasso sale at Christie's: 'Women of Algiers (Version O)' fetches $179.3 million"
| Business | Art |
Updated By: History Editorial Network (HEN)
Published:
4 min read
In a landmark auction held at Christie's in New York, Pablo Picasso's painting "Women of Algiers (Version O)" was sold for $179.3 million, setting a new record for the highest-priced painting ever sold at auction. The sale took place during Christie's "Looking Forward to the Past" event, which focused on modern and contemporary artworks.
"Women of Algiers (Version O)" is part of a 15-work series created by Picasso in 1954-1955. This series was inspired by Eugène Delacroix's 1834 work, "The Women of Algiers in their Apartment," showcasing Picasso's admiration and reinterpretation of earlier influential artists. The artwork is celebrated for its vibrant use of color and dynamic composition, reflecting the artist's evolving style and ongoing dialogue with art history.
The auction attracted bidders from around the globe, reflecting the strong demand for works by Picasso and the growing influence of multi-million-dollar art sales on the global market. This sale surpassed the previous record held by Francis Bacon's "Three Studies of Lucian Freud," which had sold for $142.4 million.
The ripple effects of this sale were felt throughout the art world, reaffirming the status of Picasso as a titan of modern art and underscoring the escalating prices in the art market. The record-breaking auction also highlighted the increasing participation of international collectors and investors in the acquisition of high-value art pieces.
This auction moment symbolizes the confluence of historical reverence, market dynamics, and the legacy of Pablo Picasso. The event underscored the prominence of art auctions in shaping art history and economics.
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Primary Reference: Picasso Sells for $179.4 M. at Christie's, an All-Time Record for a ...

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