Stephen Colbert portrait sells for $26,000 at auction
A mock portrait of comedian Stephen Colbert that features embellishments by artists Shepard Fairey and Andres Serrano has sold at auction in New York, and the proceeds are going to charity.
The auction house of Phillips de Pury said the painting sold on Tuesday for $26,000 in an auction presided over by Colbert himself, alongside Simon de Pury. The money will go to Donorschoose.org, an online charity for students in need. The auction house declined to reveal who purchased the art work.
Colbert featured the painting in a December episode of his Comedy Central show, which featured guest Steve Martin, as well as Fairey, Serrano and Frank Stella. In the episode, Martin valued the painting at just $19.
Fairey took time during the episode to spray-paint the Colbert painting with his "Obey" logo, while Serrano used a marker to transform Colbert into a Hitler-esque demagogue.
The title of the painting at auction was "Portrait 5, Stephen(s)."
Reuters reported that during the auction, Colbert told attendees, "We're doing this for children ... If you're not raising your paddle it means you hate children."
The auction was part of the "Under the Influence" sale at Phillips de Pury, which comprised of 280 lots. The auction house said it sold 82% by value and 76% by lot, for a total of $2,876,313, including buyers' premiums.
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-- David Ng
Top photo: "Portrait 5, Stephen(s)." Credit: PR Newswire
Bottom photo: Stephen Colbert. Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times
masterpiece!
Posted by: jc | March 09, 2011 at 09:00 PM
It's not a painting. Did you even watch the show? It was a photoshop project that Fairey, Stella and others toyed with. Come on guys, do your homework.
Posted by: hairy carrion | March 10, 2011 at 07:38 AM
Colbert is symptomatic of the idiotic smugness and shallow intelligence of the left in America.
Posted by: Captain Howdy | March 10, 2011 at 08:49 AM
@Captain howdy: As opposed to the Malevolent, Shallow Demagoguery of the right?
Posted by: dejapooh | March 10, 2011 at 09:49 AM
capt howday....humorless and an idiot
Posted by: ER | March 10, 2011 at 11:06 AM
Capt Howdy, you don't seem very happy. Bummer...for you!
Posted by: rhodesunit | March 10, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Ok... haha I don't think you guys really get it the man is a democrat his comedy is satire! wow thought that was kind of obvious... i guess only if you actually watch the show!!!
Posted by: meaghan | March 22, 2011 at 09:58 PM