Nude Bruni snap smashes auction estimate

A NUDE photo of the new high-profile wife of French President Nicolas Sarkozy smashed its auction estimate as it sold for more than $90,000 (€57,532) in New York, Christie’s said.

The image of glamorous first lady Carla Bruni was taken by photographer Michel Comte 15 years ago and shows a younger, nude Ms Bruni facing the camera with her hands crossed at her waist.

A buyer for a Chinese art collector yesterday bought the black-and-white 1993 photo for $91,000, more than 22 times its estimate. The photo had been expected to fetch between $3,000 and $4,000.

The Italian supermodel turned singer was last month described as “a very popular visitor to Britain” by Prime Minister Gordon Brown following a two-day state visit that aimed to strengthen British ties with France .

Ms Bruni is expected to release her latest album, No Promises, in May.

The photograph, which measures 32.5cm by 22.5cm, was sold by German-born collector Gert Elfering and was acquired from the artist directly.

A Richard Avedon portrait of 1950s and 1960s French screen siren Brigitte Bardot sold for $181,000 (€114,426). It had been expected to garner between $80,000 and $120,000.