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Pitt Drops $1M for Painting

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 9, 2009 6:13 PM CDT

(Newser) – Brad Pitt played the role of big-time art collector today at the Art Basel fair in Switzerland. Pitt spent about $1 million on a 9-foot painting by Neo Rauch, the Wall Street Journal reports. The 1998 racetrack painting, Etappe, "depicts a swirling view of a driver behind a red, Formula One-style racecar, with workers nearby carrying candy-colored hoses," writes Kelly Crow. It's an oil-on-linen. Click on the link to see a photo of it.

Pitt reportedly hemmed and hawed in front of the painting for several minutes before returning with prominent Los Angeles collectors Eli and Edythe Broad. A little peer pressure apparently worked, notes Crow. "I told him we had four Rauchs and if he didn’t buy it, we probably would," said one of the Broads.

Brad Pitt looks at the art work end of knowledge by US artist Jim Hodges. He bought a different one.
Brad Pitt looks at the art work "end of knowledge" by US artist Jim Hodges. He bought a different one.   (AP Photo/Keystone, Georgios Kefalas)
Brad Pitt visits the international art show Art 40 Basel, in Basel, Switzerland.
Brad Pitt visits the international art show Art 40 Basel, in Basel, Switzerland.   (AP Photo/Keystone, Georgios Kefalas)
Brad Pitt looks at the art work end of knowledge by US artist Jim Hodges. He bought a different one.
Brad Pitt looks at the art work "end of knowledge" by US artist Jim Hodges. He bought a different one.   (AP Photo/Keystone, Georgios Kefalas)
Brad Pitt visits the international art show Art 40 Basel, in Basel, Switzerland.
Brad Pitt visits the international art show Art 40 Basel, in Basel, Switzerland.   (AP Photo/Keystone, Georgios Kefalas)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
paul123
Jun 10, 2009 12:18 PM CDT
*pfft* if he wanted a crappy painting, he could have had the madonna nude abstract painting for 27 G's. What a poor shopper
Observer
Jun 10, 2009 12:00 PM CDT
This guy is way overexposed. Go raise Angelinas kids you pussy.
Mr.C
Jun 10, 2009 7:18 AM CDT
maybe you would earn a better income if you were the type to handle college in 4 years :-)

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