World’s Largest Canvas Painting Bought by Crypto Businessman for $62 Million USD

Sacha Jafri’s “The Journey of Humanity” won a Guinness World Record last year.

An artwork from a canvas crowned the largest in the world has sold for $62 million USD in Dubai.

British artist Sacha Jafri created the painting, which won a Guinness World Record last year, in the ballroom of the Atlantis hotel in Dubai. The 17,000 square foot artwork titled The Journey of Humanity was created over a period of 28 weeks using over 6,300 liters of paint.

The painting was split into 70 lots and was bought as a whole by French cryptocurrency businessman Andre Abdoune for $62 million USD, Reuters reports, making Jafri one of the most expensive living artists.

Jafri had intended to auction off the artwork for charity and hoped to raise $30 million USD from the sales. Proceeds were set to benefit several charitable organizations, including UNESCO, UNICEF, Dubai Cares, and the Global Gift Foundation.

Humanity Inspired said the project would help communities impacted by COVID-19. “The project will set up progressive and more affective sustainable education & health hubs, equipped with the internet for online learning, medical supplies, health care, inoculations, vaccines, and sanitation, within the poorest and most desperate communities of the world, aiming to save 10 million child lives globally.”

On Tuesday, Warrior by Jean-Michel Basquiat became the most expensive Western artwork to be sold at auction in Asia. The 1982 painting by the late artist is said to symbolize racial inequality and sold for $41.9 million USD with fees.

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