Japanese Insurer $39.8-Million Buyer of Van Gogh Work

It was a Japanese insurance company that paid a record $39.85 million at auction last month for Vincent van Gogh’s painting “Sunflowers,” auctioneers Christie’s announced today.

William Hanham, a spokesman for Christie’s, identified the buyer as the Yasuda Fire & Marine Insurance Co.

The buyer was not identified when the painting was sold in London on March 30. The painting, the most expensive ever sold at auction, will soon be displayed in the company’s museum in Tokyo, Hanham said.