Romanian Adrian Ghenie’s painting Self Portrait as Vincent Van Gogh sold for USD 2.59 million at Sotheby’s The Contemporary Art Evening Auction organized on May 11 in New York.

The selling price was almost nine times higher than the USD 200,000 - 300,000 estimate. The buyer was Japanese businessman and collector Yusaku Maezawa, the auction house announced on its Facebook page.

Born in Baia Mare, Romania, Adrian Ghenie is one of the most appreciated contemporary artists.

Two of his paintings were sold in February at a Sotheby’s auction in London. Untitled (Elena Ceausescu), a portrait of late Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu’s wife, sold for GBP 197,000 (over EUR 250,000), while another portrait, named Untitled, sold for GBP 137,000 (some EUR 174,000). The two painting were sold just one day after Ghenie’s Sunflowers sold for a record price of GBP 3.1 million (USD 4.5 million).

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Sotheby's on Facebook)