A painting by British painter Francis Bacon fetched $142.4 million at auction in New York on Tuesday, in a new world record for the most expensive piece of art sold. "Three Studies of Lucian Freud" by the 20th century figurative artist was sold by Christie's after being offered at auction for the first time ever. "The work was sold for $142,405,000, after six minutes of fierce bidding in the room and on the phone," Christie's said in a statement.