Monet's star shines again at auctions in New York

New York

OIL paintings by impressionist master Claude Monet are expected to be stars of the spring auction season in New York, where Sotheby's believes they could fetch as much as US$110 million.

One of the paintings is part of the famous Nymphéas (Water Lilies) series the French artist painted at Giverny. Forecast to sell for an estimated US$30-45 million, this work has been held by a collector since 1955, and has not been seen in public since 1945. The six Monet works have been in private collections; they are expected to generate a lot of enthusiasm on the auction block at evening sales.

The other works are Le Palais Ducal painted in 1908 in Venice; it is expected to fetch US$15-20 million; Bassin aux nymphéas, les rosiers from US$18-25 million; and Le Chemin d'Epinay, effet de neige (1875). It is expected to sell for US$6-8 million.

In addition, La Seine à Vétheuil (1901), is expected to bring in US$6-8 million; it has been in private hands since 1955 and has not been sold at auction. And Au Val Saint-Nicolas près Dieppe, matin (1897), could fetch US$3-4 million, the auction house said.

These six works by the impressionist will be shown in London from April 10-14, before returning to New York where they will be on view through May 1. Auctioneers Christie's, meanwhile, announced on Monday it would sell a Monet work - Le parlement, soleil couchant - for an expected US$35-45 million on May 11 in New York.

The record for a single Monet was set in June 2008 when Christie's in London sold Le bassin des Nymphéas for US$80.1 million. "The six works by Monet that we are privileged to present this May represent exactly what buyers are seeking at this moment: several of his most famous scenes, emerging from prestigious private collections and completely fresh to the market," said Simon Shaw at Sotheby's.

"We're undeniably witnessing an exceptional moment for great works by Monet at Sotheby's." AFP