Earlier this week at Sotheby’s, the world's largest brokers of fine and decorative art, jewelry, real estate and more, a of painting by the renowned Kerry James Marshall titled “Past Times” was sold for $21.1 million—the most ever for a living Black artist! However, the identity of the buyer was kept secret and left everyone wondering who the lucky (and loaded) bidder was. That is until on Thursday night (May 17), when Jack Shainman, Mr. Marshall’s gallerist and dealer in NYC, can clean.

He spilled the beans to The New York Times that is was in fact Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. “I know that this work has found a home in a collection with purpose and an eye toward preserving legacy — that of Sean Combs, and that means a lot,” said Mr. Shainman, who has represented Mr. Marshall since his first show at the gallery in 1993.

The dealer said Diddy was introduced to the painter’s work by a another the hip-hop mogul and now art connoisseur, Swizz Beatz. “Past Times” is an ode to the Black experience but we can think of another reason Diddy might be fond of the painting. The work features a cast of Black folk dripping in white attire. Reminiscent of his infamous all-white parties, perhaps?

Let's not forget to shout out Mr. Marshall on his monumental sale, and dope art!