Lucian Freud nude portrait of social worker sells for $39 million

A striking nude portrait of a former London employment office worker has fetched a remarkable $39 million at a Sotheby's auction in London. The painting depicts Sue Tilley, who was 35 years old when she posed for the renowned British artist Lucian Freud.

This particular artwork is one of four nude portraits Freud created of Tilley between 1995 and 1996. The sold piece, being the final work in the series, contributed significantly to its high valuation, according to Sotheby's auctioneer Oliver Barker. The final price fell within the initial estimated range of $33 million to $46 million.

The monumental canvas, standing at approximately 2.4 meters tall, also broke a previous record. In 2008, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich purchased another painting from the same series for $33.6 million, highlighting the enduring appeal and value of Freud's work, particularly his depictions of Tilley.

Freud, known for his unflinching and often intimate portraits, captured Tilley in a series that has now achieved significant financial success, underscoring the lasting impact of his artistic vision and the subjects he chose to portray.

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The completed nature of the series explains the painting's immense price.