Lover’s Portrait by Bacon clinches Record Deal

A portrait Francis Bacon painted of his lover has been sold for 13.7 million pounds (US$27 million) at a London auction.

Sotheby's auction house spokeswoman Poni Ujlaky said Tuesday that "Study for Head of George Dyer" was painted by Bacon in 1967 when he was at the height of his powers.

Another painting — "Untitled (Pecho/Oreja)" by the late artist Jean-Michel Basquiat — was sold at the auction for 5.08 million pounds (US$10.1 million) on behalf of the rock band U2.

In another bidding, an iron sculpture by artist Antony Gormley, was sold for a record 2.28 million pounds (US$4.55 million).

Sotheby's and the rival auction house Christie's both say the market for contemporary art remains strong, despite global economic problems.