Yesterday, Maurizio Cattelan’s banana, the centerpiece of the artwork Comedian, was sold for a record-breaking $6.2 million during Sotheby’s auction in New York. The piece, which sparked controversy in 2019 at the Art Basel fair in Miami Beach, has now been acquired by Chinese collector Justin Sun, founder of the cryptocurrency platform Tron.
Sotheby’s initially estimated the value of the creation at $1 to $1.5 million, but the final sale exceeded all expectations, marking a new milestone for the contemporary art market.
Comedian became famous for its simplicity and media impact. The fruit, taped to a wall with duct tape, transcends the seemingly mundane gesture. The installation has been interpreted as a critique of consumerism and the absurdity of the contemporary art market.
The buyer at Sotheby’s will receive a roll of duct tape, a banana, and a certificate of authenticity, accompanied by detailed installation instructions.
In just five years, the value of Comedian has increased more than 50-fold, capturing the attention of collectors and curious onlookers worldwide. Among the elements contributing to the artwork’s success are the iconic concept, the media buzz, and the option to pay in cryptocurrency—a novelty introduced exclusively by the auction house.
The triumph of Comedian comes at a challenging time for the art market, which in 2024 saw a 20–25% decline in revenue compared to the previous year. However, the resilience of New York’s auction market remains evident: in just two days, the city celebrated the record-breaking sale of René Magritte’s L’empire des lumières at Christie’s for $121.6 million, alongside Cattelan’s masterpiece.
