SA-born Marlene Dumas breaks global record with R245 million painting sale
South African-born artist Marlene Dumas has shattered a global auction record after her 1997 painting Miss January sold for a jaw-dropping $13.6 million — more than R245 million.
The sale took place at a Christie's auction held at the Rockefeller Centre in New York, with the event also streamed live on Instagram and YouTube.
Dumas' painting currently holds the record for the most expensive painting ever sold by a living woman artist.
She surpassed the previous record held by British painter Jenny Saville, whose 1992 work Propped sold for £9.5 million (R228 million) at Sotheby's in London in 2018.
However, while Miss January sets a new benchmark for living female artists, Dumas still trails behind top-selling male artists like Jeff Koons, whose sculpture Rabbit (1986) sold for a staggering $91.07 million (R1.65 billion) in 2019.
ALSO READ: April art auction: Expressions of labour, form
Marlene Dumas' 'magnum opus'
Christie's Deputy Chairman of Post-War and Contemporary Art, Sara Friedlander, described Miss January as Dumas' 'magnum opus'.
'In this painting, Dumas triumphantly demonstrates a formal mastery of the woman's body while simultaneously freeing it from a tradition of subjection, upending normalised concepts of the female nude through the lens of a male-centric history,' Friedlander said in a post-auction statement.
Born in Cape Town in 1953, Dumas has lived in Amsterdam since 1976 and continues to exhibit her work at the Galleria Paul Andriesse, where she debuted in 1977.
She represented the Netherlands at the 1995 Venice Biennale and was featured in the central exhibition space of the Biennale again in 2015.
Her long list of accolades includes the Düsseldorf Art Prize (2007), the Rolf Schock Prize in Visual Arts (2011), the Johannes Vermeer Award (2012), and the Hans Theo Richter Prize for Drawing and Graphic Art (2017).
NOW READ: Here's why investing in rare whisky can be profitable
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
36 minutes ago
- The Citizen
G20 audiovisual advert launch marks the beginning of a significant journey
With the G20 five months away, Brand South Africa, on July 3 at Circa Gallery, launched an audiovisual advert to mark the beginning of a significant journey; one that offers a historic platform to influence global dialogue. The G20 is an international forum of both developing and developed countries which seeks to find solutions to global economic and financial issues. Brand South Africa's CEO Neville Matjie explained: 'The launch of the [advert] marks a significant leadership journey. One that offers a historic platform to influence global dialogue and inclusive development, sustainable partnerships, and shared prosperity. Our president has been clear that the G20 is not only about South Africa; it's about the importance of showcasing the opportunities, benefits, and the importance of the African continent.' Also read: 26 foreign nationals rescued from alleged human trafficking ring in Rembrandt Park Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong added that South Africa cheering the G20 will not only mark a historic milestone; it'll mark a pivotal opportunity to emphasise the voice of the global south, and reshape global co-operation in a way that is more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable. 'As the first African country to cheer the G20, we are conscious of the trust placed on us, not only by our G20 members, but by the broader international community, looking at this forum for leadership in times of uncertainty,' noted Morolong. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Like father, Like son: Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh earns law degree
Dr Sizwe recently graduated from the University of South Africa. Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh with his father, Dali Mpofu, at his graduation. Picture: Instagram/@sizwempofuwalsh Author, academic and broadcaster Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh has officially added another qualification to his name. He recently earned a law degree from the University of South Africa (UNISA), following in the footsteps of his father, Dali Mpofu, who is a prominent South African advocate and legal professional. Taking to Instagram over the weekend, Dr Sizwe said completing his undergraduate law degree was one of the most demanding yet rewarding chapters of his life. 'I never planned to study law. Everyone thought I would because of my father, so I rebelled. But during the pandemic, while working on my second book, I found myself drawn into constitutional debates and discovered the quiet power of the law. I couldn't look away anymore,' he wrote. He added that transitioning from holding a doctorate in international relations to starting again as a law student was a humbling experience. ALSO READ: 'They should be embarrassed': Mpofu slams charges as disciplinary hearing postponed Balancing work, family and studies Dr Sizwe currently lectures in international relations at Wits University and is the founder of the popular current affairs YouTube channel SMWX. He said balancing a growing podcast, his academic duties, and parenthood while pursuing his law studies was one of the toughest professional challenges he has faced. 'I could never have known my son would be born during this journey, cheering me on in his small way as I moved from nappies to assignments, and back again. To share this moment with those I love has been the greatest gift,' he added. While he is not stepping into the courtroom just yet, he said his focus remains on academia and growing his podcast. 'But maybe one day, I'll stand before a court, adding my voice to a tradition that shaped me. This graduation felt special for all these reasons.' NOW READ: Sun Goddess' Vanya Mangaliso and musician Feya Faku laid to rest
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Did Cardi B just signal a breakup with Stefon Diggs through her Instagram wipe?
Cardi B has revealed the title and release date of her long-awaited sophomore album. Image: Dalvin Adams It's the digital age's most telling breakup sign: the Instagram wipe. And when it comes to celebrities, fans are watching every move. In the latest wave of online speculation, Cardi B and Stefon Diggs are making headlines not for a public display of affection, but for what's no longer on Cardi's page. Just weeks after going Instagram official with the NFL star, Cardi B has deleted all traces of their whirlwind romance from her profile. No yacht cuddles, no Paris castle fairytale, no hot tub twerking videos. Nothing. The social media purge has fans convinced the summer fling may have already flamed out. 'That ended as quickly as his time in Houston,' one fan commented, while another quipped, 'Bro didn't renew the 30-day trial.' Are we too obsessed with 'Instagram official'? While we're all here sipping the tea, there's a deeper trend playing out beneath the surface. In today's social media-driven world, the line between real relationships and digital performance is blurrier than ever. Going public on Instagram now comes with pressure and consequences. According to psychology, social media can amplify the highs and lows of a relationship. Once it's shared, it's no longer just between two people, it becomes communal. And when things go south? 'The public feels entitled to answers. That seems to be exactly what's happening here. What happened between Cardi B and Diggs? Just a month ago, the world watched as Cardi B and her new bae shared intimate moments from a luxury escape at Château de Farcheville, a medieval castle outside Paris. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading ROMANCE: Cardi and Stefon Diggs Image: Instagram The rapper, still fresh off public drama with her ex-husband Offset, appeared to be embracing a new chapter with a man who had just signed a $69 million contract with the New England Patriots. But rumours began swirling after reports claimed she had confronted him over alleged flirtations with other women at a yacht party. Soon after, the posts vanished. Diggs still has a photo of Cardi B buried in a carousel, but her IG tells a different story: complete wipeout. To add another layer of drama, Cardi B recently criticised Offset publicly, accusing him of neglecting their three children. In the eyes of fans, it seemed like Cardi was drawing clear lines between the past, present, and whatever comes next. But ... is this just strategic? Some fans aren't so convinced the love story is over. Instead, they believe Cardi is clearing her grid to make room for her highly anticipated album, Am I the Drama?. The album is set to drop on September 19. Let's not forget: Cardi B is no stranger to controversy-as-marketing. And we've seen this move before archiving romantic posts to control the narrative and pivot public focus back to the music. Beyoncé did it. Doja Cat did it. Could Cardi be next? 'It's a smart PR move,' said one internet patron. And that might explain why the pair still follow each other on Instagram. In Hollywood-speak, that's neither a soft launch nor a hard breakup just … pending.
