Paris Auction Shocks: A Mona Lisa Replica Hits a New Record
At last Friday’s bustling Christie’s auction in Paris, a European collector took home a 17th‑century copy of the legendary Mona Lisa for a jaw‑dropping €2.9 million (around $4.6 million). That price shattered every previous record for a reproduction of da Vinci’s masterpiece.
The “Hekking” Edition
The painting, affectionately dubbed the “Hekking Mona Lisa” after its previous owner—who once tried to convince the world that his 1950s acquisition was the real deal—was on the auction block. While the original, proudly displayed in the Louvre, remains sacred and unsold, countless replicas have wandered the art market, promising a magical, if not slightly less authentic, glimpse of the enigma that has haunted art lovers for centuries.
A Bid Drama
- Chilly start: €500 k in the opening hour.
- Heat‑up: bids leapt wildly to close to €2.4 million.
- Final flourish: the winning bid settled at €2.9 million.
According to a Christie’s spokesperson, the auction drew 14 international bidders. “This is madness, and absolutely a record,” she told reporters, a tone as electric as the atmosphere inside the gallery.
A Big Picture Context
It may come as a shocker, but you’re not the only one dreaming of high‑price art. In a 2017 show at Christie’s in New York, da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi” broke the art world’s all‑time lavish record when it sold for a staggering $450 million—the freshest prince of the auction dress circle.
Final Thoughts
While the 2.9 million euros might not give you a front‑row seat to the real Mona Lisa, it certainly proves that art’s allure—and the price tags attached to it—can still wow even the most seasoned collectors. When your finest art piece will reach such heights? Only time, thrilled curiosity, and a bit of auction drama will tell.
