Andy WarholB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址淪hot Sage Blue MarilynB次元官网网址� sold for a cool $195 million on Monday, making the iconic portrait of Marilyn Monroe the most expensive work by a U.S. artist ever sold at auction.

The 1964 silkscreen image shows Monroe in vibrant close-up B次元官网网址� hair yellow, eyeshadow blue and lips red B次元官网网址� on a rich blue background. ItB次元官网网址檚 also the most expensive piece from the 20th century ever auctioned, according to ChristieB次元官网网址檚 auction house in New York, where the sale took place.

The Warhol sale unseated the previous record holder and another modern master, Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose 1982 painting B次元官网网址淯ntitledB次元官网网址� of a skull-like face sold for a at SothebyB次元官网网址檚 in 2017.

ChristieB次元官网网址檚 said an unnamed buyer made the purchase Monday night. When the auction was announced earlier this year, they estimated it could go for as much as $200 million.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an amazing price,B次元官网网址� said Alex Rotter, chairman of ChristieB次元官网网址檚 20th and 21st century art department. B次元官网网址淟et it sink in, itB次元官网网址檚 quite something.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭his is where we wanted to be, clearly,B次元官网网址� said Guillaume Cerutti, CEO of ChristieB次元官网网址檚. B次元官网网址淚t proves we are in a very resilient art market.B次元官网网址�

The proceeds of the sale will go to the Thomas and Doris Ammann Foundation Zurich, which put the painting up for auction. The foundation aims to help children with health care and educational programs.

Warhol created more than one image of Monroe; this particular painting has been exhibited in museums around the world.

B次元官网网址擳he Associated Press