Gursky photo sells for record price

A photographic diptych of an American supermarket by Andreas Gursky has broken the record for the world’s most expensive photograph. 99 Cent II, Diptych (2001) sold for £1,700,000 ($3,351,720) in auction at Sotheby’s last week, breaking the record of $2,928,000 previously held by a 1904 Edward Steichen print entitled ‘The Pond – Moonlight’. The photo was part of a contemporary art sale on the 7th February billed as the most successful ever staged in Europe with sales totalling over £45 million The work, one in an edition of six, depicts the cluttered interior of a discount store, featuring oversaturated colours and enough detail to overwhelm the viewer. The image has been digitally distorted, almost eliminating perspective, as with much of Gursky’s other work. Gursky, a German photographer born in 1955, is known for his objective, documentary-like studies of the everyday. His large-format photos have captured scenes like apartment buildings, concert crowds and the floor of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Image © Andreas Gursky Got an opinion on this story? Why not post a comment on our news message boards