The famous painting by Andy Warhol depicting the leader of the Chinese Communist Party Mao Tse Tung sold at the Sotheby's London auction. As per practice, the name of the buyer who faced the stratospheric figure of 7,6 million pounds, equal to about 9 million euros, has not been disclosed.
The father of Pop art drew inspiration for Mao's portrait from President Nixon's trip to China in 1972 which opened up relations between the two countries. Warhol he transformed the official portrait of the Chinese President through the use of the two classic colors of his revolution, yellow and red.
The painting was initially sold in 2000 for 421 pounds, about half a million euros. In fourteen years its value has grown eighteenfold.
Although the work may appear as a tribute to Mao, it has not been exhibited in China, perhaps because it was considered offensive, too colorful and not very serious.
In short, Mao in China is not touched. It is even suspected that the buyer may be the same central committee of the Chinese Communist Party, who wanted to take possession of the work to make it disappear.
