An oil painting by late Chinese artist Xu Beihong fetched HK$72 million at auction in Hong Kong, a world record for a Chinese painting.
Put Down Your Whip, painted in 1939, was the main item to go under the hammer at an auction of contemporary Chinese art yesterday, which generated HK$214 million.
The painting attracted intense interest when it was unveiled halfway through the sale.
Bidding opened at HK$26 million and was quickly pushed up to HK$60 million by five bidders - two in the venue and three on the phone. After 10 minutes' bidding, the painting was bought by a phone bidder who requested anonymity.
The seller was said to be an Asian collector.
The painting, 144cm by 90cm and completed in 1939 during Xu's stay in Singapore, was inspired by an anti-Japanese street drama of the same title staged by his actress friend Wang Ying. It took him just 10 days.
