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06.12.2012 , London 5:44:54 in London at Sotheby's drawing by Raphael "The head of the Apostle ," was sold for 47.8 million dollars, setting a record price for an image on paper , reports Associated Press.

Figure refers to the period when the artist is ready to create a picture of the biblical "Transfiguration" , currently located in the Vatican Museum . Buyer "Head of the Apostle " was a private collector who made the request by phone and won a tense struggle between the four candidates.

According to Kristina Romalli , expert auction house Sotheby's by the old masters , who died in 1520 . Raphael can be considered the greatest master of drawing ever lived.

Sotheby's, founded in 1744 . , Is one of the world's oldest auction houses. Together with Christie's takes about 90%of the world market auction sales of works of art and antiques.