NEW YORK ( CNN ) -- A nude photograph of pop singer Madonna was sold for $ 37,500 Thursday afternoon at a Christie 's Art House auction . Christie 's auctioned this nude photo of Madonna ( partially shown ) taken by Lee Friedlander for $ 37,500 . The photo , originally expected to go for between $ 10,000 and $ 15,000 , was purchased for more than double its original estimated selling price , a Christie 's spokesperson confirmed . The 13-inch by 8 5/8-inch framed photograph was purchased by an anonymous bidder over the phone . The full frontal photograph was one of several taken by American photographer Lee Friedlander in 1979 . Madonna , then a cash-strapped student , received $ 25 for the entire photo shoot . Most of the pictures from the shoot were ultimately featured in Playboy magazine in 1985 .
Nude photograph of Madonna taken when she was student in 1979 . Lee Friedlander pic sold by Christie 's for $ 37,500 . Anonymous bidder made purchase over the phone .