Auctioneer Christie's says that a drawing by Raphael has sold for about 29.2 million pounds (about $47.5 million). Christie's says the Italian virtuoso's work has won one of the highest prices ever paid for an Old Master at auction. A portrait by Dutch master Rembrandt also fetched a high price, selling for 20 million pounds – a world record for a Rembrandt at auction and the fourth highest price ever for an Old Master painting sold at auction, Christie's said. The painting “Portrait of a man, half-length, with his arms akimbo” had been held in private and went on public display for the first time in decades this month ahead of the auction. Painted in 1658 during one of Rembrandt's most artistically inventive periods, it depicts an unknown sitter facing the artist with a defiant pose and hands on hips. The work was bought by an anonymous telephone bidder. The auctioneer said the works were sold as part of its Old Masters and 19th century art sale in London Tuesday. The sale realized 68,380,250 pounds.
