In an event that surprised many, Chinese businessman Justin Sun, known for his activity in the field of cryptocurrencies, bought an artwork titled “Comedian” by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan for $5.2 million. Adding the auction house fees, the value of the painting reached $6.2 million.
Details of the artwork
The painting is a banana attached to the wall using adhesive tape, and is part of a limited edition of three similar works that first appeared in 2019 at the Art Basel Miami Beach exhibition. At the time, copies of the work were sold for prices ranging between $120,000 and $150,000.
Buyer’s statement and his controversial plan
Despite the high artistic value of the work, Justin Sun stated that he plans to eat the banana himself in the coming days, considering it part of a unique artistic experience that combines art history, popular culture, and the cryptocurrency community. He added that the work reflects a cultural phenomenon that links art and digital memes.
The Story of the Painting Over Time
In 2019, performance artist David Datuna ate a similar banana during a performance, sparking widespread controversy over the nature of the artwork.
This time, the banana exceeded all expectations after it was re-offered at a Sotheby's auction in New York, where the initial estimate was between $1 million and $1.5 million, but it sold for more than five times the expected value.
What does the buyer get?
In addition to the banana, Justin Sun received a roll of tape, a certificate of authenticity, and instructions for installing the artwork.
This event revives the debate about the nature of art and its value, making this auction a testament to the blending of artistic concepts and modern digital cultures.
Watch the historic moment: The most expensive banana in the world is sold at auction
If you are wondering about the atmosphere of this exceptional auction, the attached video gives you the opportunity to watch the moment when the painting "The Comedian" by artist Maurizio Cattelan was sold at Sotheby's in New York. The video shows the enthusiastic competition between bidders, which ended with a fantastic price of $5.2 million.
The video gives a glimpse into the elegant atmosphere inside the auction hall, highlighting the amazing reactions of the audience when the final price was announced. An experience not to be missed for lovers of art and unique events!
Click here to watch the video and enjoy the moments of this extraordinary auction.