Warhol's Marilyn portrait shows expensive art is turning heads

There are rich pickings out there in the global art world right now, says Des O'Sullivan

Andy Warhol's Shot Sage Blue Marilyn, painted in 1964, made a record $195 million at Christie's.

The big game hunters of the global art world are out in force right now. There are rich pickings for the super-wealthy in a stellar round of May sales in New York events showcasing major artistic movements of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The big news this week was the sale of Andy Warhol’s Shot Sage Blue Marilyn. From the collection of Thomas and Doris Ammann of Zurich, it sold for a record $195 million (€184,421,250) at Christie’s on Monday evening — making this 40-square inch canvas the most expensive 20th-century artwork ever sold.