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Monet Sells for Record $41M

Painting fetches tidy sum at Christie's

By Laurel Jorgensen,  Newser Staff

Posted May 6, 2008 10:05 PM CDT

(Newser) – A Monet painting sold at Christie’s tonight for $41.4 million, a record price for the artist, the New York Times reports. Three bidders competed for the 1873 impressionist painting “The Railroad Bridge at Argenteuil,” which Christie’s estimated would go for $35 million. The high bid of $37 million pushed the final price, which includes auction house commissions, above $40 million, providing further evidence that the economic downturn has yet to dent the art world.

Potential bidders attend the Spring 2008 Impressionist and Modern Art auction as Claude Monet's Le Pont du chemin de fer a Argenteuil is on display at Christie's Tuesday, May 6, 2008  in New York.
Potential bidders attend the Spring 2008 Impressionist and Modern Art auction as Claude Monet's "Le Pont du chemin de fer a Argenteuil" is on display at Christie's Tuesday, May 6, 2008 in New York.   (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
In this file photo released by Christie's Auction House in New York, Thursday, May 1, 2008, an 1873 oil on canvas by Claude Monet entitled Le Pont du chemin de fer a Argenteuil is shown.
In this file photo released by Christie's Auction House in New York, Thursday, May 1, 2008, an 1873 oil on canvas by Claude Monet entitled "Le Pont du chemin de fer a Argenteuil" is shown.   (AP Photo)
People look at Claude Monet's 'Le Pont du chemin de fer a Argenteuil' during a photocall at the offices of Christie's auction house in London, Friday Feb. 22, 2008.
People look at Claude Monet's 'Le Pont du chemin de fer a Argenteuil' during a photocall at the offices of Christie's auction house in London, Friday Feb. 22, 2008.   (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
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