Andy Warhol’s “Blue Marilyn” could break auction record

In 2013, an auction at Sotheby’s set a new record for the sale of a work by Andy Warhol. That was 1963 Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster), which sold for $ 104.5 million. By any standard, this is an impressive amount.

You would think so. But this year, another high-profile work by Warhol looks as if it has nearly doubled that record.

Christie’s just announced that Warhol’s 1964 painting Shot Sage Blue Marilyn will be auctioned in May. As ARTnews reports, it is estimated to sell for around $ 200 million.

The image of Monroe used in the painting comes from the 1953 film Niagara, and the image itself is part of Warhol’s series “Shot Marilyns”, in which the canvases were damaged by a bullet. The painting was purchased by art dealer Thomas Ammann in the 1970s, and is sold on the property of Thomas and his sister Doris; the two ran a prominent gallery for many years until Doris ‘death in 2021. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Siblings’ Foundation, which focuses on education and health care.

The auction itself will take place in May. What effect could this have on the market for Warhol’s work – and the art market in general? We’ll know soon enough.