Big Boys Games

Christies in New York has arranged the private sale by the wealthy Belgian Stoclet family of Madonna by Duccio to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for $45 million - believed to be the most money the Met has ever paid for a single art object.
The Louvre, who do not have a Duccio, showed a sudden, late interest in the picture during the negotiation with the Met and the price skyrocketed. Christie dangled the possibility to the Met that the Louvre would get the work - so the Met paid up.
Irish Art