Monet sees star rise again at New York auctions

NEW YORK - Agence France-Presse

This combination of images released April 6, 2015 by Sotheby's in New York shows a group of six paintings by Claude Monet. AFP Photo

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 $110 million.
      
One of the paintings is part of the famous "Nymphas" (Water Lilies) series the French artist painted at Giverny. Forecast to sell for an estimated $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 $15-20 million; "Bassin aux nymphas, les rosiers" from $18-25 million; and "Le Chemin d'Epinay, effet de neige" (1875). It is expected to sell for $6-8 million.
      
In addition, "La Seine  Vtheuil" (1901), is expected to bring in $6-8 million; it has been in private hands since 1955 and has not been sold at auction.
      
And "Au Val Saint-Nicolas prs Dieppe, matin" (1897), could fetch $3-4 million, the auction house said.        
These six works by the impressionist will be shown in London April 10-14, before returning to New York where they will be on view through May 1.
      
Auctioneers Christie's, meanwhile, announced Monday it would sell a Monet work --  "Le parlement, soleil couchant" -- for an expected $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 Nymphas" for $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. As new generations and new markets rediscover the master, the supply of strong examples remaining in private hands is shrinking fast. The result is fierce competition that leads to the results we have witnessed recently at Sotheby's."