An auction of art from the estate of Yves Saint Laurent, the late fashion designer, broke world records by raising $262m on its opening day in Paris, France [AFP]
Published On 24 Feb 200924 Feb 2009
Christies, the auctioneers, said a number of world records were broken at the sale, including $45.8m paid for a painting by Henri Matisse: Les coucous, tapis bleu et rose, 1911 [GETTY/GALLO]
Advertisement
The auction sparked controversy when a Chinese group tried to block the sale of two bronze heads - a rabbit and a rat, which were taken from China in 1860. But a Paris court refused to halt their sale [AFP]
Pierre Berge, Saint Laurent's long-time partner, said he knew the works would interest art lovers, despite the current financial crisis [GETTY/GALLO]
Crowds lined up for hours to view the collection. Berge said he was "profoundly touched" by the wide public interest in the sale [AFP]
The collection comprises more than 700 pieces, including paintings by Picasso, Matisse and Degas, to ancient Roman sculptures and Art Nouveau furniture [AFP]
A Piet Mondrian painting, which inspired one of Saint Laurent's dresses, sold for a record $27.4m at the auction, held at Paris' Grand Palais Museum [GETTY/GALLO]
Advertisement
Saint Laurent died in June last year, aged 71, from brain cancer. A portion of the proceeds from the art sale will go to support Aids research [GETTY/GALLO]
