Frida Kahlo Masterpiece Sets New Auction Record For Any Woman Artist | Sothebys

Marking a new record for the most valuable work by a woman artist ever sold at auction, Frida Kahlo’s ‘El sueño (La cama)’ sold to applause at Sotheby's New York tonight at $54.7 million.

Painted in 1940, a pivotal year in Kahlo’s life marked by her turbulent relationship with Diego Rivera and ongoing health challenges, the work has remained in the same private collection for 45 years. The bed became a crucial symbol of challenge and resilience, providing the deeply personal setting for many of her self-portraits, while the skeleton which she kept above it served as a reminder of mortality and tradition.

The New York Sales continue on Friday 21 November with the Modern Day Auctions.

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