Alberto Giacometti

One of Alberto Giacometti’s best-known bronzes, Walking Man I, has broken the world record price for a work of art at auction, selling to an unidentified telephone bidder for USD92.5 million (USD104.3 million with fees), at Sotheby’s in London. Sotheby’s had expected the sculpture to bring USD19.2 million to USD28.8 million.
The previous record was USD104.1 million, paid for a 1905 Picasso, Boy With a Pipe at Sotheby’s in New York in 2004.
This impressive six foot-tall sculpture was conceived in 1960 and cast in 1961. As perhaps the most recognizable of all Giacometti sculptures, Walking Man I is a trophy piece. The sculpture was cast in an edition of six and four artist proofs, most of which are in museums or private collections. Walking Man I was being sold by Dresdner Bank in Germany, which acquired it in 1980.
(Source: NYT)