Big Girl Nabs Big Money

by Emily Rems

 

Painter Lucian Freud’s life-size 1995 portrait of his muse, Sue Tilley, titled "Benefits Supervisor Sleeping," just broke the world auction record for the amount paid for the work of a living artist. Christies sold it yesterday for $33.6 million dollars, beating out the previous record-holder Jeff Koons, whose "Hanging Heart" nabbed $23.5 million last year. Sadly, I think we’ll have to wait quite some time for the work of a woman to break this kind of record, but I have to admit I’m pleased that of all of Freud’s work (including his portrait depicting celebrity-sitter Kate Moss) it was Tilley who turned out to be worth her weight in gold.

 

You may also like

Get the print magazine.

The best of BUST in your inbox!

Subscribe to Our Weekly Newsletter

About Us

Founded in 1993, BUST is the inclusive feminist lifestyle trailblazer offering a unique mix of humor, female-focused entertainment, uncensored personal stories, and candid reporting that tells the truth about women’s lives.

©2023 Street Media LLC.  All Right Reserved.