Sotheby's smashes records at New York auction of postwar art

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NEW YORK, November 15 (RIA Novosti) - Sotheby's in New York has sold works by postwar artists including Francis Bacon, Jeff Koons, and Jean-Michel Basquiat for $315.9 million, its highest ever total for an auction of contemporary art.

Wednesday's auction saw four bidders battle it out for Francis Bacon's 'Second Version of Study for Bullfight No. 1' (1969), representing a swirling man and bull. The painting, one of the artist's earliest works, became the evening's most expensive lot, sold for $45.96 million.

Bidding was just as intense for Bacon's self-portrait, dated the same year, which finally went under the hammer for $33 million.

Another record was smashed by Jeff Koons and his 'Hanging Heart (Magenta/Gold)', whose 2.7-meter (9-foot) stainless steel heart hanging from a gold bow was sold for $21 million, making Koons the most expensive living artist.

The previous record belonged to Damian Hirst and his 'Lullaby Spring,' sold by the same auction house for $19.5 million this June.

"Untitled (Electric Chair)" by well-known 'graffiti' artist Jean-Michel Basquiat was bought by an unidentified telephone bidder for $10.5 million. This was more than the combined sums paid at the auction for two works - 'Four Jackies' and 'Suicide' - by his friend and mentor, Andy Warhol.

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