Brueghel Masterpiece Nets Record $10.6 Million at London Sale

Pieter Brueghel II's painting "The Fight Between Carnival and Lent" sold at a London auction for almost £7 million on Tuesday, an auction record for the Flemish renaissance artist.

The painting, which depicts the traditional ceremonial battle between the figures of Carnival and Lent -- common in 16th century Netherlands -- was snapped up for £6,873,250 ($10.6 million, 7.9 million euros) at a Christie's sale of Old Master and British paintings.

"The subject is one of Pieter Brueghel the Younger's finest reinterpretations of his father's work," said a press release from the auction house.

"The picture sold this evening is one of five known versions of the present composition by the artist's son, and one of only three considered autograph."