Warhol’s Marilyn on block

NEW YORK: An Andy Warhol portrait of Marilyn Monroe worth an estimated $US200m ($282m) headlines this month’s spring sales in New York that collectors say are among the most anticipated ever.

Christie’s expects Warhol’s 1964 Shot Sage Blue Marilyn (pictured) to become the most expensive 20th century artwork when the auction house puts it under the hammer on Monday.

Not to be outdone, competitor Sotheby’s is offering $US1bn of modern and contemporary art including the second helping of the famed Macklowe Collection, during its marquee week in May.

The 100cm-by-100cm silkscreen Warhol is part of a series of portraits the pop artist made of Monroe following her death from a drug overdose in August 1962.

They became known as the “Shot” series after a visitor to Warhol’s “Factory” studio in Manhattan fired a gun at them, piercing the portraits which were later repaired.

Other highlights offered by Christie’s include Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Portrait of the Artist as a Young Derelict (1982), expected to go for more than $US30m, and Untitled (Shades of Red) by Mark Rothko, tipped to fetch up to $US80m.