An anonymous bidder snapped up the piece – titled “Game Changer” – in a virtual auction organized by auction house Christie’s.
Taking into account the buyer’s premium, the final price paid will be £ 16.758 million (about $ 23 million).
It is a new high for the price paid for a piece of Banksy sold at auction, according to the auction house.
The famous artist donated the piece to Southampton General Hospital, in the south of England, in May 2020. It was accompanied by a note that said: “Thank you for everything you are doing. I hope it brightens up the place a bit, even if it’s just in black and white. “
Proceeds from the sale “will be used to support the well-being of University Hospital Southampton staff and patients, as well as benefit healthcare organizations and charities across the UK that improve the care and treatment provided by NHS ”, according to Christie’s.
A HuffPost guide to Coronavirus