€26m for Warhol self-portrait

A LATE self-portrait by “pope of pop” Andy Warhol sold for a record €25.8 million at Sotheby’s in New York, underlining the return of big spenders to the international art market.

The stark 1986 image of Warhol’s famous face and unkempt hair was estimated to sell at between €8m and €13m at the contemporary art auction.

The huge final sale value was in line with the strong demand for Warhols shown at the spring contemporary art auction at rival Christie’s.