Avedon auction reaps $7.5M

An auction of prints by fashion photographer Richard Avedon has netted more than $7.5 million US.

Billed as the largest auction ever of Avedon works, 65 photos were put on the block.

The sales in Paris will benefit his eponymous foundation, which is seeking to establish an endowment in his name.

Avedon's most famous picture may be Dovima with Elephants, a 224-centimetre by 152-centimetre print that adorned the entrance to his New York City studio for more than two decades. It sold for $1.15 million US.

The iconic image of supermodel Dovima, taken on a hot summer day in 1955 at the Cirque d'hiver in Paris, fetched far above its $700,000 US predicted price.

Meanwhile, a psychedelic-toned Beatles shot from 1967 came in a distant second at $608,000 US.

The photographer's 60-year career included assignments for Vogue and Harper's Bazaar, capturing the fashion and models of the time including Twiggy, Veruschka and Jean Shrimpton.

Avedon was also acclaimed for his portraits of famous people from all walks of life, including Marilyn Monroe and Malcolm X.