LONDON.- Tonight’s sale of Old Master & British Paintings at Sotheby’s in London saw a new auction record established for Sir Anthony van Dyck – one of the most important artists to have worked in England – when his last Self Portrait soared above expectations and sold for £8,329,250/ €9,207,960/US$13,521,704. The portrait was the top-selling lot in a sale which realised £15,098,250/ €16,691,068/ US$24,510,499, within the pre-sale expectations of £12,340,000-18,410,000. Strong prices were also seen for works by the Dutch artist Cesar Boetius van Everdingen and the prominent British masters, Sir Edwin Henry Landseer and Samuel Scott. The outstanding van Dyck Self Portrait was hotly pursued by nine bidders, who drove the price far above the pre-sale expectations of £2-3 million and established the record-breaking price. The painting was finally purchased by Alfred Bader in partnership with Philip Mould. Van Dy