Scream sold - New art record

The iconic painting the Scream by Edvard Munch, was sold in New York by Sothebys yesterday, to an unknown bidder over the phone, for a new record of US$120million (£74 mil). Estimates in advance of the sale were around the US$ 80 million (£48 mil) level.

There are four versions of the Scream by Norwegian painter Munch, created in 1895, with three currently held by Norwegain museums and the fourth, the version just sold by Petter Olsen for a world record on May 2nd.The new owner will need good security as the various "Screams" have attracted the attention of art thieves quite regularly, with some very high profile robberies on record over the years.

The previous record for artwork was held by Picasso's Green Leaves and Bust, which sold for US$ 106.5 million in 2010 (£64 mil)