Jasper Johns’ “Flag” goes for $28.6M at NYC auction, a new record for the artist
By Ula Ilnytzky, APWednesday, May 12, 2010
Jasper Johns’ flag fetches $28.6M at NYC auction
NEW YORK — Jasper Johns’ seminal work “Flag” from the collection of the late best-selling author Michael Crichton has sold for $28.6 million at a New York City auction. The total is an auction record for the artist.
Christie’s said the work was purchased by an American art dealer during bidding Tuesday night. The previous Johns auction record was $17.4 million for “Figure 4,” in 2007. “Flag” had a presale estimate of $10 million to $15 million.
The popular “Jurassic Park” writer left a 20th century art trove of some of pop art’s best known artists. He died in 2008. The sale featured 31 pieces. Another 117 works from the collection will be sold Wednesday.
Crichton bought “Flag” from Johns in 1974. It hung in his Beverly Hills home, and was last exhibited in 1992-93.
