The Nude That Set Amedeo Modigliani's Auction Record

Amedeo Modigliani's Nu Couché (1917-18) sold for $170.4m at Christie's in New York on November 9, 2015. The oil on canvas work had been traded 6 times in the past.

Modigliani's reclining nude was one of a group that became a succès de scandale when unveiled in Paris in 1917 at the artist's first and only solo show.

Organized by the poet-turned-art-dealer Léopold Zborowski at Galerie B. Weill, Modigliani's large-scale nudes in the show caused a sensation and quickly attracted a crowd to gather in the street outside. The paintings were visible through the gallery's windows. The police were called and the offending paintings quickly removed from public view.

The record breaking reclining nude is now in the collection of the Long Museum in Shanghai, purchased by the billionaire collector couple Liu Yiqian and Wang Wei. Although they sold another painting by Modigliani in 2023, Nu Couché (1917-18) remains in China.

The sale beat Modigliani's previous auction record by $99.68m, a 125% rise. His previous record was set by the sculpture Tête (1911), which sold for $70.72m at Sotheby's on November 4, 2014. The limestone carving had been traded 4 times in the past. It was first owned by fellow artist Augustus John.

A Brief History of Modigliani at Auction