New York - (dpa) - A painting of the late actress Marilyn Monroe by American artist Andy Warhol has fetched $195 million in New York, making it the most expensive work of art from the twentieth century ever sold at auction, according to Christie's.

The 1964 painting "Shot Sage Blue Marilyn", which measures 101.6 x 101.6 cm, is based on a photograph of the actress.

The painting, which is one of Warhol's signature works, was up for auction at Christie's on Monday.

Only Leonardo da Vinci's "Salvatore Mundi" painting achieved a higher amount at auction, setting a record as the most expensive work of art ever sold at auction when it fetched $450.3 million in 2017.

It was not clear at first who bought the Marilyn Monroe painting, which was previously valued at "about $200 million."