Picasso artwork makes record $179m

A vibrant, multi-hued painting from Pablo Picasso set a world record for artwork at auction, selling for $179.4m (€159.5m), while a sculpture by Alberto Giacometti set a record for most expensive sculpture, at $141.3m (€125.6m).

Picasso’s Women of Algiers (Version O) and Giacometti’s life-size Pointing Man were among dozens of masterpieces from the 20th century that Christie’s offered in a curated sale titled Looking Forward to the Past.

Christie’s global president, Jussi Pylkkanen, who was the auctioneer, said the two pieces are outstanding works of art. “I’ve never worked with two such beautiful objects,” he said.