A banana taped to a wall by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, titled Comedian, sold for $6.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York on November 20. The winning bidder was Chinese cryptocurrency mogul Justin Sun.
The artwork, one of three in an edition, had been expected to fetch between $1 million and $1.5 million, but bidding quickly surpassed estimates. Sun’s purchase includes a certificate of authenticity, along with a banana and duct tape starter kit, and an instruction manual detailing how the piece should be displayed.
Comedian debuted at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon. The banana became a global meme, appearing on merchandise and even making the cover of The New York Post under the headline “Bananas!”
Though initially seen as a joke, Cattelan’s piece is widely regarded as a legitimate work of contemporary art. The New York Times‘ Jason Farago defended it as a critique of art market conventions and societal values.
At auction, the price soared as multiple bidders, both in the room and online, competed fiercely. The final hammer price, including fees, reached $6.24 million. While Comedian’s sale sparked attention, art advisor Rob Teeters noted it likely won’t contribute to the overall health of the market.