The sculpture & # 39; Rabbit & # 39; of $ 91 million Jeff Koons beats a new auction record

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Written by Oscar Holland, CNN

A playful rabbit sculpture by Jeff Koons has become the most expensive work of a living artist to be auctioned.

The American artist "Rabbit", a stainless steel figurine measuring just over one meter in height, has sold over $ 91 million Wednesday night at Christie's in New York. York, bordering on estimates.

The new record comes just six months after David Hockney's "Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)" set a new benchmark for a living artist: he sold for 90.3 million last November – also at Christie's in New York. The work of the British painter had himself overtaken the sculpture of Koons "Balloon Dog (Orange)", the former record holder, who had raised $ 58.4 million in 2013.
Jeff Koons with his record sculpture in 2009.

Jeff Koons with his record sculpture in 2009. Credit: BEN STANSALL / AFP / AFP / Getty Images

Christie's initially estimated that Koons' "rabbit" without a face would sell for between $ 50 and $ 70 million. But the winning bid was $ 80 million, which – after deducting auctioneers fees – resulted in a final sale price of $ 91,075,000.

Prior to Wednesday's sale, Christie's had described sculpture as "one of the most iconic works of 20th century art".

"The appearance is crisp and fresh, but it is inspired by the visual language of childhood," reads in a preview of the sale on the website of the auction house. "Its absence of facial features makes it impenetrable, but its shape evokes pleasure and frivolity."

The rabbit of the American artist has sold more than 91 million dollars.

The rabbit of the American artist has sold more than 91 million dollars. Credit: Courtesy of Christie & # 39; s

The Koons sculpture, dating from 1986, is part of an edition of three plus an artist proof. Another is kept at the Broad Foundation in Los Angeles, while the third has been promised at the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art by its owners, according to Christie's.

The edition featured in Wednesday's auction came from the collection of the media nab S.I. Newhouse. It has not been exposed to the public for over 30 years.

The sale continues a record week for art in New York. An array of Claude Monet's "Haystacks" series cost $ 110.7 million on Sotheby's Tuesday to become the most expensive impressionist art work ever sold at auction.

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