Naked Moss for sale

A PORTRAIT of Kate Moss, the model, by Lucian Freud is expected to break auction records when it goes under the hammer on Wednesday. The nude picture of a pregnant Moss reclining on a bed — entitled Naked Portrait 2002 — has been valued by Christie’s at between £2.5m and £3.5m.

But Pilar Ordovas, a contemporary art expert at the auctioneers, thinks this could be a conservative estimate. “We’ve done it at that price because we want to create a good atmosphere and have a lively auction,” he said. . .

The portrait has been owned for the past two years by an American collector. The highest price paid in auction for a Freud is £3.5m for his Large Interior, W11 in 1998.

UPDATE: Final price: £3.93M ($7.29M)

Posted by David on February 6, 2005 9:07 AM