A painting by Banksy that honors health workers in Britain during the pandemic has sold for 16.8 million pounds, equivalent to $ 23 million, Christie's auction house announced, Tuesday.
Proceeds from the sale will go to fund health organizations and charities across the UK, according to Christie's.
The work by the mysterious street artist entitled "Game Changer" (Game Changer) first appeared on the wall of Southampton General Hospital in southern England in May, during the first wave of the pandemic.
The black-and-white image includes a boy sitting on the ground playing with a doll dressed as a nurse looking like a superhero, while other superhero dolls, including Batman and Spider-Man, lie in a garbage bin next to him.
At the time, the hospital announced that Banksy had left a note to the workers there, saying, "Thanks for everything you're doing. I hope that brightens up this place a little bit, even if it's only black and white."
The auction house said the selling price was a record for Banksy's business. She added that she would donate a "large portion" of the purchase amount to health organizations.
A copy of the photo will remain in the hospital for patients, visitors and staff, according to the house.
