Painting of London model sells for $39 million at London auction

A painting completed between 1995 and 1996 sold for $39 million at Sotheby's London on Wednesday. The work shows a woman sleeping in a chair. The model, identified in reports as Sue Tilley, was 35 at the time and worked as a supervisor at an employment office while also employed part-time as a nightclub cashier.

Background on the series Lucian Freud asked Tilley to pose after meeting her at the nightclub. She agreed, citing the artist's humor and the meals he provided during sittings. Freud paid her 20 pounds per day at first, later raising the rate to 35 pounds. Each portrait required months to finish.

Sale details and statements "Sleeping by the Lion Carpet" is one of four portraits Freud made of Tilley. The series has previously brought in a combined $129 million at auction, according to the Wall Street Journal. Tilley, now 69, told the Journal that she was pleased the work had sold while she was still alive.

She also said she believed her likeness across the four paintings was worth about 100 million pounds.