ARTS

Phantom of the Auction: Andrew Lloyd Webber, the “Cats” and “Phantom of the Opera” composer, paid $17.7 million Wednesday for an 18th-Century painting of London by Italian artist Antonio Canaletto. Christie’s auctioneers said the price was a record for the artist as well as for an Old Master painting in London. The Tate Gallery in London had tried to purchase “Old Horseguards From St. James’ Park” before it was sold at Christie’s but failed to raise the money. Lloyd Webber, 44, is an avid art collector.