Painted Marilyn Monroe’s Portrait Sold at a Record Price

American pop art visionary Andy Warhol's iconic portrait of Marilyn Monroe sold for $195 million Monday at Christie's.

The auction event witnessed the most expensive 20th-century artwork ever sold at a public auction.

Dozens of Christie associates were in the room clutching their phones as they took orders from potential buyers.

Prior to the sale, the portrait was estimated to go for about $200 million, according to Christie's.

In a statement, Christie's described the 40-inch (100-centimetre) by 40-inch portrait as "one of the rarest and most transcendent images in existence."

Warhol began creating silkscreens of Monroe following the actress's death from a drug overdose aged just 36 in August 1962.

Source: Moneycontrol