The estimate was $3–4,000. The hammer price, $91,000. Even Christie's was stumped as to why a photo of Carla Bruni, now Madame Sarkozy, soared so high. In the video below, one German bidder explains that he was trying to buy the photo to give as a present to the French president and his wife, but the price just got out of hand.
The next highest-priced portrait above Bruni's was one of Kate Moss by Richard Avedon. Estimated at $30-40,000, it sold for $97,000.
The consignor, Gert Elfering, offered proceeds from the sale of the Bruni print to a doctor who runs hospitals in Cambodia, but Dr. Beat Richner refused the money. "My decision was taken out of respect for our patients and their mothers," he said. "Accepting money obtained from exploitation of the female body would be perceived as an insult".
OK, but did he really have to tell anyone where the money came from? That's what I'd be asking if I were on his board, but hey. Now, a Swiss research institute working on turning used water into fresh drinking water in poor countries will receive the money.
p.s. In the video below, note how many times they pan the camera up Bruni's body. Hmm.
Carla Bruni nude proceeds snubbed by hospital [Telegraph.co.uk]
Comments