“Les Femmes d’Alger,” the Pablo Picasso painting sold at Christie’s this month for a world record auction price of $179 million, went to an anonymous telephone bidder. The buyer's identity has been kept private since the May 11 sale.

Now sources have told Page Six that former Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Than — also known as HBJ — was the buyer. Page Six reports that one source said, “The painting almost certainly will not go on public display in Qatar because of the nudity, even though it is a cubist work.”

Christie's released a statement in response:

"There has been a great deal of speculation in the art market about numerous individuals who may or may not be buyers of works of art in our recent sales including the Pablo Picasso Les femmes D'Alger (Version 'O'). Christie's does not disclose client information and does not comment on the identity of any buyers.  In this particular instance, Christie's was not contacted by Page Six for comment on this gossip. Rumors will no doubt continue but they remain just speculation."