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Monet Sells for Record $80.4M

Rare waterlily work attracts high bidders at Christie's

By Laurel Jorgensen,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 24, 2008 9:30 PM CDT

(Newser) – One of Monet’s rare waterlily paintings sold at Christie’s in London tonight for more than $80 million, a record price for the artist, the New York Times reports. At least six buyers competed for Le Bassin aux Nympheas, a 1919 work from a series of paintings considered among Monet’s most important. An anonymous buyer won the painting with a high bid of $80.4 million.

Monet's 'Le bassin aux nympheas'  was sold for more than $80 million at auction, kicking off a week of modern-art sales expected to reach records that defy the global economic downturn.
Monet's 'Le bassin aux nympheas' was sold for more than $80 million at auction, kicking off a week of modern-art sales expected to reach records that defy the global economic downturn.   (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
An auction house worker poses in front of Claude Monet's 'Le bassin aux nympheas' 1919 painting.
An auction house worker poses in front of Claude Monet's 'Le bassin aux nympheas' 1919 painting.   (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
An auction house worker admires Claude Monet's 'Le bassin aux nympheas' 1919 painting. The most significant work from Monet's waterlily series was sold for more than $80 million at auction Tuesday.
An auction house worker admires Claude Monet's 'Le bassin aux nympheas' 1919 painting. The most significant work from Monet's waterlily series was sold for more than $80 million at auction Tuesday.   (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
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