Giacometti's Walking Man Giacometti's Walking Man sold for $104 million dollars— new record for an artwork. Frenzied bidding at Sotheby's for this life-size bronze by the Swiss sculptor. What's so special about this thin torso, such an image of airy lightness bringing the bidding to such stratospheric heights? Ah! those matchstick legs spread out like an upside down V in the shape of the Platonic Lambda— Soul of the Universe! No wonder the tycoons all desired this treasure, not even knowing that Walking Man's stride shows the soul in action— something that's priceless. — Peter Y. Chou     Mountain View, 2-3-2010

Alberto Giacometti Walking Man I (1961) sold at London Sotheby's auction for $104.3 million (February 3, 2010)