Part 1: The Record-Breaking Sale of Andy Warhol’s “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn”

Pop-Art icon art pieces are increasingly popular

Andy Warhol’s “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn” recently set a monumental record at Christie’s auction, fetching a staggering $195 million. This sale not only crowned it the most expensive piece of 20th-century art ever sold at auction but also highlighted its iconic status in the realm of pop art.

The Auction Event

The bidding for “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn” started at $100 million and quickly escalated, with the hammer finally falling at $170 million. Including the buyer’s premium, the final sale price was recorded at $195 million[2][10]. The buyer was Larry Gagosian, a prominent American art dealer[8].

Historical Significance and Backstory

The auction took place on May 9, 2022, as part of Christie’s 20th/21st Century sale week in New York. The event was highly anticipated, with registered bidders from across 29 countries and a virtual audience of 763,000 people[3]. The painting was the star lot of The Collection of Thomas and Doris Ammann Evening Sale, which featured a total of 36 lots by various artists[3].

“Shot Sage Blue Marilyn” is part of a series of five paintings created by Warhol in 1964, each featuring a different colored background. The series is famously known as the “Shot Marilyns” due to a dramatic incident involving Dorothy Podber, a performance artist who shot through four of the five paintings with a revolver when visiting Warhol’s studio[19]. This act of vandalism became a part of the paintings’ lore, adding to their mystique and value.

The specific “Sage Blue” version was initially owned by various prominent collectors, including Leon Kraushar and S.I. Newhouse, before being acquired by Swiss art dealers Thomas and Doris Ammann in the early 1980s[1][2]. The painting was offered for auction by the Thomas and Doris Ammann Foundation, with all proceeds designated for charity, specifically to aid children’s healthcare and education programs[3][7].

Artistic and Cultural Impact

“Shot Sage Blue Marilyn” is based on a promotional photograph of Marilyn Monroe from the 1953 film “Niagara”. Warhol’s choice of Monroe as a subject speaks to his fascination with celebrity culture and the American Dream. The painting is celebrated not only for its vibrant color and impactful style but also for its deep commentary on fame and tragedy[19].

The sale of this artwork at such a high price point underscores its significance in the art world and Warhol’s enduring legacy as a leading figure in the pop art movement. It also reflects the current robust state of the art market, particularly for iconic and historically significant works[3][17].

Conclusion

The record-breaking sale of “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn” by Andy Warhol at Christie’s is a testament to the artist’s genius and the lasting appeal of Marilyn Monroe as a cultural icon. This event not only set a new benchmark for the value of pop art but also highlighted the powerful combination of celebrity, tragedy, and artistic innovation that defines Warhol’s work.

In the next part of this blog post, we will delve deeper into the implications of this sale for the contemporary art market and explore how it influences the valuation of artworks by other pop artists.

Stay tuned for an in-depth analysis of the ripple effects of this historic auction and what it means for collectors and enthusiasts of pop art around the world.

Citations:
[1] https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-05-09/andy-warhols-shot-sage-blue-marilyn-sets-new-auction-record
[2] https://en.thevalue.com/articles/andy-warhol-shot-sage-blue-marilyn-record-breaking-sale-christies-ny-2022
[3] https://www.lifestyleasia.com/hk/culture/art/andy-warhol-shot-sage-blue-marilyn-record-breaking-price/
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcVwfg4iw9Q
[5] https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/marilyn-monroes-shot-sage-blue-marilyn-becomes-most-expensive-20th-century-artwork-sold-2961261
[6] https://darz.art/en/magazine/news-andy-warhol-monro/765
[7] https://press.christies.com/warhols-marilyn-sells-for-195-millionnbsp
[8] https://news.artnet.com/market/evening-auction-report-ammann-sale-at-christies-2110810
[9] https://theconversation.com/andy-warhols-marilyn-monroe-portraits-expose-the-darker-side-of-the-60s-181213
[10] https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/warhols-famed-marilyn-silk-screen-could-fetch-200-million-auction-2022-05-09/
[11] https://www.newsweek.com/6-interesting-facts-about-andy-warhols-marilyn-monroe-portrait-1705206
[12] https://www.theinteriorreview.com/story/2022/5/10/critically-assessing-warhols-shot-sage-blue-marilyn
[13] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA7dRppwLXw
[14] https://insights.masterworks.com/art/artists/warhols-shot-sage-blue-marilyn-the-most-expensive-20th-century-artwork/
[15] https://publicdelivery.org/andy-warhol-marilyn-monroe/
[16] https://ocula.com/magazine/art-news/why-does-christies-want-200m-for-warhol-marilyn/
[17] https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/10/andy-warhols-marilyn-sells-for-195-million-sets-american-record-.html
[18] https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6369449
[19] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shot_Marilyns
[20] https://www.masterworksfineart.com/artists/andy-warhol/screen-print/marilyn-monroe-marilyn-1967-9/id/W-6420