Warhol's Michael Jackson Painting to be Auctioned

A painting of the late Michael Jackson by avant-garde artist Andy Warhol is to go under the hammer in an auction in New York in August.

The portrait of the iconic star will be displayed at London's British Music Experience, an exhibition inside the O2 Arena, for three days before the auction takes place in the US.

Jackson, known as the King of Pop, had been due to perform 50 live shows at the arena as part of his This is It comeback tour.

Janet Lehr, acting for the seller, said: "This Andy Warhol portrait brings together the uncontested King of Pop Art with the uncontested King of Pop."

The painting was created in 1984 when both men were at the "height of their careers", she explained.

Previously, a Warhol painting of Jackson's friend and confidant actress Liz Taylor made $23.7 million when sold at auction.

The piece is due to go under the hammer at the Vered Art Gallery in New York's East Ham on August 16th.

It was originally painted to commemorate the success of Jackson's Thriller album which went to the top of the charts following its release in November 1982.

Jackson suffered a fatal cardiac arrest on June 25th at his home in Los Angeles.