New York - (Monet Talks!): He's been at it again! The reclusive art billionaire who splashed out an unprecedented $104.3 million for the Giacometti sculpture in February has snapped up another world record-breaker.
Last night the secretive US investor outbid Russian oligarchs and Asian moguls bidding for the world's most expensive painting ever, the $106.5million Nude, Green Leaves and Bust by Picasso.
The auction spoils will now join his $104.2 million Picasso Boy With A Pipe bought in New York in 2004.
According to art world sources the collector's identity verges on a state secret - but is rumored to be one of the USA's Getty-era oil and gas tycoons.
His latest acquisition, a 1932 work depicting one of the artist's many mistresses, will join a multi-billion dollar art collection in a bomb-proof Manhattan condo overlooking Central Park.
Picasso's 1965 Woman in a Hat, Bust is expected to make a mere $20 million tonight.
