Second only to a Picasso, a Modigliani nude painting sold for over $170 million. Christies International held the auction. The painting, “Nu couché” (Reclining Nude,) had never been auctioned before. Hit the jump to find out who bought it.

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An unnamed Chinese buyer purchased the Modigliani painting. The buyer paid $170.4 million, which included Christies’ auction fee. This price is second highest only to Picasso’s “Les femmes d’Alger” (Women of Algiers) which sold for $179 million.

Some paintings in the auction did not sell at all. However, Modigliani had good company from Roy Lichtenstein’s “Nurse” which went for around a cool $96 million.

While the buyer went unnamed, we know it was a Chinese citizen. As of late, China has wielded major buying power in the U.S. markets. Asian pockets have especially fund the American financial, real estate and art games.

Source: Reuters