Monster Munch ... the £74m Scream
Edvard Munch’s haunting piece, which has graced millions of bedroom walls as a poster, shows a man screaming under a streaked, blood-red sky.
The 1895 pastel, one of four vers-ions created by the Norwegian artist, was owned by businessman Petter Olsen whose father knew Munch.
Art expert Michael Frahm said: “Along with the Mona Lisa, it’s the most famous image in art history. It’s been used by everyone from Warhol to Hollywood to cartoons.”
Sale proceeds will go towards the establishment of a new museum, art centre and hotel in Norway.
Earlier this year, Mr Olsen said of the painting: “Its power and energy have increased with time. The moment has come to offer the rest of the world a chance to own this remarkable work.”
Drama ... auction room early today
Two of the other versions of The Scream were stolen, in 1994 and 2004. Both were later recovered.
Sotheby’s said the version sold early today was the only one to have its frame hand-painted by the artist and including a poem in which he described himself as “shivering with anxiety”. The previous record auction price was £66million for Pablo Picasso’s Nude, Green Leaves and Bust in 2010.
Higher prices have been achieved for paintings in private sales.
Other art-stopping prices ... from left, Portrait of Dr Gachet by Dutch post-impressionist Vincent van Gogh - £51million, The Card Players by French post-impressionist Paul Cézanne - £160million, No5, 1948 by American abstract impressionist Jackson Pollock - £86million, Woman III by Dutch abstract impressionist Willem de Kooning - £84.8million, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I by Austrian Gustav Klimt - £83million
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