Paint That, Paint That: Diddy Revealed As The Person Who Bought $21 Million Kerry James Marshall Piece At Art Auction

May 20, 2018

Diddy Spends $21 Million on Painting by Kerry James Marshall

On May 16, it was revealed that entertainment mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was the one that purchased a $21.1 million painting from Chicago-based artist Kerry James Marshall.

At first no one knew that mega-entrepreneur had bought the painting, but Jack Shainman, who operates as a gallerist and art dealer in NYC, revealed that he was the purchaser when speaking with The New York Times.

Titled “Past Times,” the painting depicts African Americans enjoying some leisurely time in a Chicago park. The painting was originally sold to the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority in 1997. The price then was $25,000. Diddy’s purchase marks the highest-ever price paid for a living African American artist’s artwork at an auction. Shainman, who says Diddy was introduced to Marshall’s work by his fellow art connoisseur Swizz Beatz.