The Nude That Set Amedeo Modigliani's Auction Record
3 min read · 07 Feb 2025
Nu Couché. Image courtesy of Christie's
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.
Tête. Image courtesy of Sotheby's
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
| Sale Date | Title | Price | Record Increase | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-11-09 | Nu Couché | $170.4m | 141 % | Christie's | New York |
| 2014-11-04 | Tête | $70.72m | 3 % | Sotheby's | New York |
| 2010-11-02 | Nu Assis Sur Un Divan (La Belle Romaine) | $68.96m | 31 % | Sotheby's | New York |
| 2010-06-14 | Tête | $52.76m | 68 % | Christie's | Paris |
| 2004-11-04 | Jeanne Hebuterne devant une porte | $31.37m | 31 % | Sotheby's | New York |
| 2003-11-04 | Nu Couché (sur Le Côté Gauche) | $24m | 54 % | Christie's | New York |
| 2000-11-09 | Fillette au tablier noir | $15.63m | 2 % | Sotheby's | New York |
| 1999-11-11 | Nu Assis Sur Un Divan (La Belle Romaine) | $15.25m | 11 % | Sotheby's | New York |
| 1998-11-16 | Portrait de Jeanne Hebuterne | $13.75m | 11 % | Sotheby's | New York |
| 1995-05-10 | Nu assis au collier | $12.43m | 14 % | Christie's | New York |
| 1990-03-25 | La belle epiciere | $10.93m | 34 % | Loudmer | Paris |
| 1988-03-28 | Portrait de Mario-Marios Varvoglis | $8.18m | 14 % | Christie's | London |
| 1987-11-20 | Nu Assis Sur Un Divan (La Belle Romaine) | $7.18m | 71 % | Libert & Castor | Paris |
| 1984-11-14 | La reveuse | $4.2m | 140 % | Sotheby's | New York |
| 1984-11-13 | Giovanotto Dai Capelli Rossi | $1.75m | 17 % | Christie's | New York |
| 1984-05-16 | Bambina Con Trecce | $1.5m | 50 % | Christie's | New York |
| 1984-05-15 | Jeune fille assise en chemise | $1m | 30 % | Sotheby's | New York |
| 1981-11-05 | Portrait of a young girl | $770,000 | 28 % | Sotheby's | New York |
| 1980-05-13 | Nudo seduto | $600,000 | 65 % | Christie's | New York |
| 1975-12-02 | Le garcon en culottes | $363,600 | 27 % | Christie's | London |
| 1972-06-28 | La rousse au Pendentif | $285,800 | 13 % | Sotheby's | London |
| 1971-07-06 | Portrait de Thora Klinckowstrom | $253,900 | 24 % | Christie's | London |
| 1970-07-01 | Portrait de Leopold Zborowski | $204,000 | 52 % | Sotheby's | London |
| 1963-04-24 | Garcon rouge | $134,400 | 30 % | Sotheby's | London |
| 1962-04-11 | L'homme au verre de vin | $103,600 | 54 % | Sotheby's | London |
| 1960-07-06 | Portrait de Jeune Fille | $67,200 | 100 % | Sotheby's | London |
| 1959-07-01 | Beatrice Hastings Assise | $33,600 | - | Sotheby's | London |