The painting by the German Richter is the most expensive work by a living artist

photo: Sotheby's

New York - The most expensive auctioned work by a living artist has become a painting by the German painter Gerhard Richter. The large-format work "Domplatz, Mailand" (Cathedral Square, Milan) was acquired on Tuesday by the auction winner for 37 million dollars (nearly 740 million CZK). According to the New York auction house Sotheby's, where the auction took place, the new owner of the square painting measuring nearly three by three meters is a private American collector.
    The work was commissioned in 1968 by Siemens Elettra for its Milan headquarters. Experts consider the painting to be an exceptional example of Richter's photographic painting, striving for the most faithful capture of reality. Using this technique, Richter slightly blurred his works, achieving their original appearance.
    The 81-year-old painter lives and works in Cologne, Germany. He created his first works back in the 1950s after graduating from the art academy in Dresden. He has held a number of solo exhibitions worldwide, and his works are highly valued today. This is evidenced by the fact, according to the AP agency, that his other work, which sold for nearly three million dollars less last year, previously led the list of the most expensive paintings by living artists.
    Alongside Richter, other top names in the rankings include Jasper Johns, Jeff Koons, and Damien Hirst.
    The Milan painting was offered for auction by Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Part of the funds raised will be used to acquire new art pieces for its hotels.