LOS ANGELES -- The J. Paul Getty Museum was revealed Thursday as the buyer that paid a record $65.1 million for Edouard Manet's "Spring," a celebrated portrait of a Parisian actress as an embodiment of the season.
"Spring" was auctioned Wednesday at Christie's in New York City for $65.1 million, including Christie's commission -- well above the expected high price of $35 million.
That nearly doubled the previous record of $33.2 million paid four years ago for "Self Portrait with a Palette," another work by the 19th century French artist.
"Spring" joins other Manet works at the Getty: "Portrait of Madame Brunet," "The Rue Mosnier with Flags," "Bullfight" and "Portrait of Julien de la Rochenoire."
The museum is expected to place it on display by the end of the year.
Painted in 1881, two years before Manet's death, "Spring" portrays actress Jeanne Demarsy in a flowered dress, bonnet and parasol. It was presented at the 1882 Paris Salon.
"Spring" was intended to be one of four paintings featuring Parisian women representing the seasons but Manet only completed "Spring" and "Autumn" before he died in 1883 at 51.
The painting had few owners and had been in the collection of an American family for more than a century.
Christie's did not identify the seller but said proceeds will benefit a private American foundation that supports environmental, public health and other causes.
Spring was the last of Manet's Salon paintings still in private hands, Getty Director Timothy Potts said in a statement.
"It is a work of extraordinary quality and beauty, epitomizing Manet's influential conception of modernity, and executed at the height of his artistic powers," Potts said.
