What did the Tokyo version of Van Gogh 's Sunflowers add ?
On March 31 , 1987 , even those without interest in art were made aware of van Gogh 's " Sunflowers " series when Japanese insurance magnate Yasuo Goto paid the equivalent of US $ 39,921,750 for Van Gogh 's " Still Life : Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers " at auction at Christie 's London , at the time a record - setting amount for a work of art .