Andreas Gursky's "Rhein II" Is Now the Most Expensive Photograph in the World

Andreas Gursky didn't spend long off the top of the most-expensive-photograph-sold list. After being eclipsed by Cindy Sherman this past May when her "Untitled #96" sold for $3.89 million, Gursky is back on top as of last night. His "Rhein II," a massive two-by-three-meter abstract landscape print, sold for $4.3 million at Christie's. Prior to Sherman's overaking earlier this year, Gursky's "99 Cent II Diptychon" ($3.35 million) had held the title since 2006. 

"Rhein II," produced in 1999, graced the cover of a 2001 monograph of Gursky's, and is indicative of his formalist, abstract landscape style. It's the largest of an edition of six, and it's in good company--owners of the other editions include MoMA and the Tate Modern in London. 

[Christies via PopPhoto and the Atlantic Wire]