A celebrated painting by British artist David Hockney has been sold at Christie’s in New York for just over $90m (£70m) – an auction record for a work by a living artist.
Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) had been forecast to fetch $80m (£62m).
It sold following a 10-minute battle between two bidders via telephone, after the price passed $70m (£54m).
The sale eclipsed the previous record held by US artist Jeff Koons.
His stainless steel Balloon Dog (Orange) sold for $58m (£45m) in 2013.
The packed sales room in New York broke into applause when the hammer fell, with the buyer’s premium and commission taking the final price to $90.3m.
Christie’s did not name the successful bidder.
The Hockney work was painted in 1972 and is one of the Yorkshire artist’s most recognizable works.
