Andy Warhol's Marilyn Monroe sells for a record $195 million

NEW YORK — Andy Warhol's painting

sold for $195 million on Monday, making the iconic portrait of Marilyn Monroe the most expensive work by an American artist ever to come to auction.

The 1964 silkscreen image shows Monroe in a vibrant close-up — yellow hair, blue eyeshadow and red lips — against a turquoise background.

It is also the most expensive 20th-century work ever to come to auction, according to Christie's auction house in New York, where the sale took place.

[Melania Trump auctions off a hat and ends up buying it herself]

This broke the previous record held by another modern master, Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose 1982

work of a cadaverous face sold at Sotheby's for $110.5 million in 2017.

Christie's said the Marilyn work was purchased by an anonymous buyer on Monday night.

When the auction was announced a few months ago, it was estimated that the work could reach 200 million dollars.

The painting 'Shot Sage Blue Marilyn' by artist Andy Warhol in 1964 is taken to the Christie's exhibition hall, Sunday, May 8, 2022, in New York City. Ted Shaffrey / AP

"It's an unbelievable price," said Alex Rotter, chairman of Christie's 20th and 21st century art department.

“Put yourself to think about that figure, it is outstanding”, he insisted.

"Clearly this is where we wanted to go," said Guillaume Cerutti, the auction house's director general.

“This shows that

he added.

[Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' t-shirt is auctioned for more than 9 million dollars]

Proceeds from the sale will go to the Thomas and Doris Ammann Foundation Zurich, which put the painting up for sale.

The foundation is dedicated to helping children through health and education programs.

Warhol created more than one image of Monroe.

This particular painting has been displayed in museums around the world.