Diddy Buys Painting By Kerry James Marshall For $21 Million

Diddy has purchased a $21.1 million painting from Chicago-based artist Kerry James Marshall. The auction went down Sotheby’s in New York City.

Initially, no one knew that multi-talented celeb 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 in a recent interview. Shainman has represented Marshall as a dealer for over 20 years.

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.

According to ArtNet.com, 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 fan Swizz Beatz, was happy with the mogul’s epic purchase.