An Art banana sold at a high price at Sotheby’s

Maurizio Cattelan, famous for his provocative works, has once again hit the headlines with Comediana banana attached to a wall with adhesive tape. Initially presented at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, the work – in 3 copies and sold for $120,000 at the time – reached a peak during the auction organized by Sotheby’s in New York on November 20, 2024: it was awarded for 6.2 million dollars (approximately 5.7 million euros), fees included, well beyond the initial estimate of 1 to $1.5 million.

This ordinary fruit, purchased that morning for 35 cents at a Manhattan grocery store, comes with a certificate of authenticity and instructions for replacing the banana when it rots. Justin Sun, Chinese entrepreneur and figure in the world of cryptocurrencies, won the auction against six other competitors. He expressed his intention to consume the banana, saying the gesture will highlight its role in the history of art and popular culture.

Maurice Cattelan to concert Comedian as a sharp criticism of speculation on the art market. “On what basis does an object acquire value? » he asks, emphasizing that artists generally do not benefit from the resales of their creations. Already in Miami in 2019, the work had triggered a heated debate on the legitimacy of this type of piece. The banana was even eaten by artist David Datuna during a provocative performance at the fair and replaced a few minutes later.

If we can doubt the viability of such an acquisition in the long term, this auction allows the buyer to have his moment of notoriety and Sotheby’s a wide press. With this record sale, Comedian continues to ask the essential question: what gives value to art?