This combination of undated photos provided by Christie's shows "Him," a controversial sculpture of Adolf Hitler by Maurizio Cattelan. Viewed from the rear, it appears as a child-like figure kneeling in prayer. But from the front, viewers come face-to-face with a likeness of the Nazi leader. The work is among the highlights of a special sale at Christie's auction house in New York scheduled for May 8, 2016. (Christie's/Marian Goodman Gallery/copyright Maurizio Cattelan via AP)
April 15, 2016 - 9:17 AM
NEW YORK, N.Y. - A controversial sculpture of a kneeling Hitler by the edgy Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan (muh-RIHT'-zee-oh KAT'-eh-lahn) is among the highlights of a special sale at Christie's auction house in New York.
"Him" appears as a child-like figure in a grey suit kneeling in prayer when viewed from the rear. But from the front, viewers come face-to-face with an unmistakable likeness of Hitler.
It will be offered May 8 as part of Christie's "Bound to Fail," a curated sale where it could bring $10 million to $15 million.
Another major work in the sale is Jeff Koons' "One Ball Total Equilibrium Tank." The 1985 sculpture depicts a basketball suspended inside a vitrine of distilled water. It could sell for over $12 million.
Both works are coming to auction for the first time.
News from © The Associated Press, 2016