A topless photograph of American actress Angelina Jolie and a horse, taken by photographer to the stars David Lachapelle, auctioned at Christie's London yesterday (May 15) for £30,000 ($45,570).
According to US celebrity newspaper the National Enquirer, Brad Pitt had expressed an interest in buying the photograph of Jolie, with whom he has six children.
 Jolie with horse from 2001 |
"Brad is prepared to pay whatever it takes to get the photo," the National Enquirer reported a source close to the couple as saying, "Brad finds the photo of free spirited Angie very sexy, although he's not wild about the [Jolie's former husband, Billy Bob Thornton] tattoo on her shoulder."
Jolie, who, having discovered she carried a gene that put her at very high risk of developing breast cancer, recently underwent a double mastectomy, is pictured with an equine fan in 2001.
In an admirably candid disclosure, Jolie wrote of her recent decision to undergo surgery: "On a personal note, I do not feel any less of a woman. I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity."
Whether or not Brad made the winning bid is unknown.
Photographs by American photographer Peter Beard also proved popular - his 1968 shot Tsavo National Park featuring, by dint of perspective, what appears to be four men riding a rhino, sold for £103,875 ($157,786), a 73.1% increase on its £60,000 estimate.
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