Jasper Johns' Flag sets artist auction record

11 May 2010

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Christie's sold Jasper Johns' "Flag," a pop art rendition of the American flag created in the 1960s that author Michael Crichton bought from the artist in 1973.

Christie's sold Jasper Johns' iconic "Flag," from the collection of the late best-selling author Michael Crichton, for $28.6 million, an auction record for the artist. The sale continues today with more works from the Jurassic Park writer's 20th-century art trove.

American art dealer Richard Rossello of Avery Galleries was the buyer, according to Reuters. The 1960s work had a pre-sale estimate of $10 to $15 million.

The previous auction record for Johns was $17.4 million for "Figure 4," which sold in 2007.

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