COURTESY CHRISTIE’S
Unnamed art world sources have told the New York Post that the mystery buyer of Pablo Picasso’s Les Femme d’Algers (Version “O”) at Christie’s last week is the former Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani. The piece sold for $179.4 million on May 11, becoming the most expensive work ever sold at an auction.
UPDATE 5/21/15, 9:29pm: Christie’s has released a statement concerning the Post‘s, as well as other speculation on the buyer’s identity. The statement follows in full:
There has been a great deal of speculation in the art market about numerous individuals who may or may not be buyers of works of art in our recent sales including the Pablo Picasso Les femmes D’Alger (Version ‘O’). Christie’s does not disclose client information and does not comment on the identity of any buyers. In this particular instance, Christie’s was not contacted by Page Six for comment on this gossip. Rumors will no doubt continue but they remain just speculation.