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Carla Nude Pic Fetches $91K at Christie's

1993 portrait of Sarko's wife goes for 20 times expected price

By Caroline Zimmerman, Newser User

Posted Apr 10, 2008 8:11 PM CDT

(Newser) – Sarkozy isn't the only one who gets to see his wife in the buff: a collector paid $91,000 for a photograph of a naked Carla Bruni at Christie's today. The auction house expected Michel Comte's 1993 portrait of the French first lady to sell for no more than $4,000, AFP reports. Brigitte Bardot, however, was the auction's big winner: Richard Avedon's photograph of the French star fetched $181,000.

The portraits were part of a 200-photograph collection including works from legends Helmut Newton and Herb Ritts. Bruni-Sarkozy was incensed over Christie's decision to include Comte's photo. "It's a work of art," said the auction house. Comte has a stash of more explicit Bruni pics from her modeling days, but he's keeping them under wraps.

France's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy arrives for a state banquet at the Guildhall in London Wednesday March 27, 2008.

France's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy arrives for a state banquet at the Guildhall in London Wednesday March 27, 2008. (Associated Press)

France's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy arrives for a state banquet at the Guildhall in London Wednesday March 27, 2008.

France's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy arrives for a state banquet at the Guildhall in London Wednesday March 27, 2008. (Associated Press)

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, first lady of France, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, look on, as they arrive in Greenwich, London, Thursday March 27, 2008.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, first lady of France, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, look on, as they arrive in Greenwich, London, Thursday March 27, 2008. (Associated Press)

This photo of Carla Bruni sold for $91,000 at Christie's.

This photo of Carla Bruni sold for $91,000 at Christie's. (Christie's)

France's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy attends a state banquet at the Guildhall in London Wednesday March 27, 2008.

France's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy attends a state banquet at the Guildhall in London Wednesday March 27, 2008. (Associated Press)

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Nicolas Sarkozy • art • Christie's • photography • auction • art collector • art auction • Carla Bruni

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