‘Bea Arthur Nude’ Painting Sells For Almost $2 Million

Last week at an art auction in New York City a painting of late actress Bea Arthur topless sold for $1.9 million.

The painting is by artist John Currin, titled "Bea Arthur Naked.", sold at Christie's auction of contemporary art on Wednesday. Art experts had expected the painting to fetch between $1.8 million and $2.5 million.

The famed auction company announced that the buyer wished to remain anonymous.

The 1991 oil painting depicts the late television actress nude from the waist up. Currin said the image was based on a photograph of her with her clothes on.

Arthur gained fame for her Emmy Award-winning roles in "Maude" and "The Golden Girls" in the 1970s and '80s. She died of cancer in 2009 at age 86.