A noted Irish artist recently sold one of his photographs for more than $1 million, making it one of the most valuable photographs in the world.
The subject of the photo? A potato.
Kevin Abosch, a world famous photographer known for his celebrity portraits, recently sold Potato #345 to an unnamed European businessman for £750,000.
kevin The photo of the organic Irish potato was taken in 2010 on a black background using a digital camera and a single light, according to the Sunday Times.
This is no standard spud - Potato #345 (2010) by @kevinabosch recently sold for $1,000,000+: https://t.co/xjkoKUj7li pic.twitter.com/rDkbW2WEMp
— Genesis Imaging (@genesisimaging) January 25, 2016
Abosch was astounded by the price for which the photograph sold, calling it “absurd.” But, it seems the artist had a key negotiation trick up his sleeve: a bottle of wine.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Abosch was having dinner with the buyer at his home when he spotted the photograph hanging on the wall.
"We had two glasses of wine and he [the businessman] said, 'I really like that.' Two more glasses of wine and he said: 'I really want that,' " Abosch said
Abosch also mentioned that the $1.5 million price tag was more than he had sold any other photograph, though he had been paid more for commissioned work. His work has made the cover of Vogue magazine and museums throughout the world.
Alex Hider is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @alexhider.