Yves Saint Laurent created beauty in life as one of the world’s top fashion designers and he is still doing it after his death with the selling of his art collection which has brought gasps of admiration. On the opening day it broke a number of world records including 32 million euros for a painting by Matisse. In fact in just three hours Christie’s auction house said more than 206 million euros were raised. The president of Christie’s France said:

“The art markets have waited for this sale, seeing it as a signal – if it works well it shows that the great masterpieces hanging on our walls are masterpieces for eternity even in times of crisis.” More than 700 pieces belonging to the designer who died of brain cancer last June are to be sold. Some of the proceeds will go to support AIDS research.

Copyright © 2012 euronews