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Monday, Jul 13, 2026

Maurizio Cattelan's Artwork 'Comedian' Sells for $6.2 Million

Iconic Banana Taped to a Wall Sold at Sotheby's Auction in New York
A banana duct-taped to a wall, titled 'Comedian,' crafted by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, sold for $6.2 million in New York during a Sotheby's auction.

The artwork, first shown at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, stirred debate over its artistic merit.

Chinese entrepreneur Justin Sun purchased the piece, remarking on its cultural significance linking art, memes, and cryptocurrency.

Initially priced at $120,000, the artwork attracted high bidder interest, exceeding its $1-1.5 million estimate.

This sale featured the third version of 'Comedian,' as earlier iterations were consumed by artist David Datuna and potentially Sun himself, who expressed intent to eat the banana, embracing its unique artistic journey.

Known also for his 18-carat gold toilet 'America,' Cattelan continues to challenge conventional art norms.
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