Berlin Photo Auction Fetches Big Bucks

	© Bettina Rheims
	Bettina Rheims' "Madonna Lying on the Floor of a Red Room, New York 1994" sold for 23,600 Euro at the May 26 auction at Villa Grisebach in Berlin.

The May 26 auction at Villa Grisebach in Berlin netted strong sales for contemporary photography, bringing in a total of 531,000 Euro ($683,000) for the 289-lot sale.

The catalog's cover lot, a photo of Madonna taken by Bettina Rheims, more than doubled its estimate and sold to a German dealer for 23,600 Euro ($30,300). A Swiss collector purchased "I am its secret" by Iranian-born photographer Shirin Neshat for 12,400 Euro ($16,000). Another German dealer paid 9,450 Euro for a series by Anna and Bernhard Blume called "Küchenkoller."

Imogen Cunningham's portrait of Frida Kahlo went to an American private collection for 14,200 Euro, beating its high estimate of 13,000 Euro. Interest was also high for Bert Stern's "Last Sitting" with Marilyn Monroe, taken in 1962. Prices for all four lots ranged from 2,300 to 3,700 Euro, beating estimates of 800-1,000 Euro. The vintage print of René Burri's Che Guevara sold for 10,600 Euro, whereas the young girl at a nudist camp by Diane Arbus more than doubled its estimate with 10,600 Euro.

A Japanese collector purchased paparazzi king Ron Galella's iconic shot of Jackie Kennedy on a New York City street for 5,900 Euro. A photograph of John F. Kennedy, taken by Garry Winogrand, fetched 7,080 Euro and went to a German dealer.

Below are the top 10 lots from the sale (prices include buyer's premium).