A photograph captured by artist Man Ray sold for $12.4 million (approximately €11.7 million), making it the most expensive photograph ever sold at auction. And exceeding forecasts: according to CNN, the value of the work was expected between 5 and 7 million dollars (between 4 and 6 million euros).
The photograph Le Violon d’Ingres—Portuguese for Ingres’s Violin—was captured in 1924 by American surrealist artist Man Ray. The black and white photograph transforms the naked body of a woman, presented from behind, into a violin.
Rip! Record for any photograph reset by Man Ray’s original image of his mistress Kiki with f-holes in her hourglass back, “Le Violon d’Ingres,” which just sold for $12.4 million. @christiesinc over $7 million high est. pic.twitter.com/Rv2JcxuMUC
— Kelly Crow (@KellyCrowWSJ) May 14, 2022
According to auctioneer Christie’s, the couple Jacobs and Rosalind Gersten Jacobs acquired the artwork in 1962. After the couple’s death, it was their daughter, Peggy Jacobs Bader, who became responsible for her parents’ estate. She told CNN that each of the estate pieces “has a unique and intimate story behind it,” which ends up reflecting her parents’ “joyful spirit of relationship.”
Darius Himes, international director of photography at Christie’s, told CNN the piece is unparalleled.
At once romantic, mysterious, mischievous and playful, the scope and influence of the image has captured everyone’s mind for almost 100 years. As a photographic work, it is unprecedented in the market”.
Source: Observadora
