A NUDE photograph of France’s First Lady, Carla Bruni, has been auctioned for US$91,000 — more than 20 times the expected price.

The picture was bought by an anonymous bidder on behalf of an anonymous Chinese collector Thursday, said Christie’s auction house in New York, which sold the image.

The image was taken by photographer Michel Comte in 1993, when Bruni was a highly sought-after model.

The office of French President Nicolas Sarkozy has declined to comment.

Christie’s said the photograph had been expected to fetch between US$3,000 and US$4,000.

The successful bid was for US$75,000, but with commission the actual price paid rose to US$91,000.

Rik Pike, a spokesman for the auction house, said “the media and the level of international interest for this photo” had “played their role” in the image being sold for a much higher sum. (SD-Agencies)