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In 2010, Yiull Damaso unveiled his painting The Night Watch!, drawing death threats and accusations of racism.

The controversial painting, which was painted towards the end of Nelson Mandela’s life, depicts the former president undergoing an autopsy while prominent political figures look on.

Now, eight years later, an anonymous buyer has purchased the painting for R450 000, reports Business Insider.

The buyer contacted the artist in September and it isn’t known whether the painting will ever be seen in public again.

“The Night Watch!” is based on “The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp”, considered one of Rembrandt’s early masterpieces, and perhaps his most important work. It is currently in the news because of plans for a major restoration.

In the Yiull version, the autopsy is conduct by Nkosi Johnson, the HIV-Aids activist who died at the age of 12, while Jacob Zuma and Trevor Manuel look on in apparent approval and Desmond Tutu grimaces. Also present are Cyril Ramaphosa, Thabo Mbeki, Helen Zille, and FW de Klerk.

Yiull (who apparently prefers to be known by his first name…) has been approached by a number of potential buyers over the years.

“I can appreciate it that [Yiull] wants to know about my interest in the painting, but I unfortunately do not want to divulge on that,” the buyer told the artist’s representatives.

“I want to add that I also appreciate that it cannot be easy for him to part with the painting, but he can be assured that I would treat the work with respect.”

The R450,000 price is a significant jump for Yiull [above]. Earlier this year one of his works set a new record when it sold for R250,000, said Michela Casciani, Yiull’s manager. Several of his works have reached prices around the R200,000 mark, she said.

When the unfinished painting featured on the front page of the Mail & Guardian back in 2010, it drew attention from some of the prominent political figures depicted in it.

The ANC famously declared the painting proof that the South African media needed to be regulated by a government-established tribunal. Then spokesperson Jackson Mthembu “branded the painting as racist and linked it to witchcraft”.

“We strongly condemn the practice and promotion of the freedom of expression and freedom of the arts which knows no bounds and only sees itself as the most supreme freedom that supersedes and tramples other people’s constitutional rights to dignity and privacy, and undermines our values,” said Mthembu.

The artist received death threats and the painting sparked debate about freedom of expression. Yiull had the following to say about his decision to sell:

“Three times a week, minimum, people come into the studio and ask to see it,” he said. “For eight years I’ve been explaining it daily. Enough already.”

The final destination of the painting is unknown.

[source:businessinsider]