Lifestyle Mirror

On Wednesday, May 2, 2012, Edvard Munch's The Scream became the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction. After 12 minutes of intense bidding—ending in a battle between two anonymous over-the-phone buyers—Sotheby’s New York auctioned this seminal work from 1895 for a record sale of $119,922,500. As one of the most widely recognized work in art history, next to Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, it’s really no surprise. While this version of The Scream is the last (and best) of four to remain in private hands, proceeds from the sale will go toward the founding of a new museum, art center, and hotel in Hvitsten, Norway, where Munch and the original owner—the father of Wednesday’s seller Petter Olsen—were once friends and neighbors. —Sasha Levine

EDVARD MUNCH
The Scream
Print
$45
art.com