Video screenshot via Christie’s

On Thursday evening, 81-year-old English painter David Hockney’s iconic artwork, Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures, shattered the world record for the highest-priced work by a living artist to be auctioned.

The 1972 painting closed at US$90,312,500 (including fees) at auction house Christie’s, dethroning Jeff Koons’ five-year record of US$58.4 million for his Balloon Dog sculpture.

The double portrait depicts Hockney’s former lover, Peter Schlesinger, looking over at a swimmer who is believed to be the artist himself.

Such accomplishments are almost unheard of; the painting was created by an openly gay artist exploring the emotional aspects of same-sex relationships. As The New York Times points out, it is “still rare” for artworks with same-sex themes to hit a price point like this.

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🔊 A new world record! David Hockney’s ‘Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)’ achieved $90,312,500 (including buyer’s premium) in New York tonight, setting the record for the most expensive painting by a living artist.⠀ .⠀ Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale – 15 November at Christie’s New York.⠀ .⠀ #art #artwork #artist #auction #newyork #contemporaryart #hockney

A post shared by Christie’s (@christiesinc) on Nov 15, 2018 at 6:50pm PST

[via The New York Times, video via Christie’s, cover image via Christie’s]

Pool Painting Smashes World Record For Priciest Work By Living Artist At Auction
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November 15, 2018 at 10:15PM
via TAXI Daily News http://www.designtaxi.com/news/402407/Pool-Painting-Smashes-World-Record-For-Priciest-Work-By-Living-Artist-At-Auction/