Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe print has sold for a record $NZ311 million at auction.

The price is a record for a work by an American artist sold at auction.

Shot Sage Blue Marilyn is one in a series of portraits Warhol made of the actress following her death in 1962 and has since become one of pop art’s best-known pieces.

The artwork was held in the collection of Swiss art dealers Thomas and Doris Ammann, it was sold by Christie’s at an auction in New York.

The painting is built on a promotional photo of Monroe from the 1953 film Niagara, screened with bright colours over her eyes, hair and lips.

Monroe was one of Hollywood’s best-known stars before her death from an overdose at her home in Los Angeles on 4 August 1962.

The sale broke the previous record for an American artwork at auction of $US110.5m set in 2017 for a 1982 painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Did you blame someone for something last Friday?

‘If you did that was okay because Friday 13th May was ‘Blame Someone Else Day’.

National Blame Someone Else Day is recognised and celebrated on the first Friday the 13th of each calendar year. It will be celebrated next January.

Just this once. In terms of an excuse, we can blame another. We can blame the dog, the weather, or the mechanic. Messy bedroom? Blame the closet fairies or your brother!