Summary
- PARIS: French Impressionist painter Claude Monet’s artwork Iris has set a new record in France after selling for €50 million ($56.05 million) at a Sotheby’s auction becoming the most expensive work of art ever sold at auction in the country according to the auction house.
- Iris was among several paintings offered from the Schlumberger Collection which featured 28 artworks presented ahead of the auction in Paris.
- Interest in Monet’s works has also grown following announcements that two paintings by the Impressionist master previously unseen by the public would be offered for sale in Paris by the Schlumberger family.
PARIS: French Impressionist painter Claude Monet’s artwork Iris has set a new record in France after selling for €50 million ($56.05 million) at a Sotheby’s auction becoming the most expensive work of art ever sold at auction in the country according to the auction house.
The painting completed during the final years of Monet’s life attracted fierce competition among collectors. Six bidders competed for approximately 45 minutes before the contest narrowed to two participants who continued bidding for another 20 minutes.
The artwork was ultimately purchased by an Asian collector who participated in the auction by telephone.
The sale price substantially exceeded the painting’s estimated value of €22 million to €30 million highlighting strong demand for works by the celebrated artist.
Iris was among several paintings offered from the Schlumberger Collection which featured 28 artworks presented ahead of the auction in Paris. Three additional Monet paintings were also included in the October 22 sale including Saule Pleureur (Weeping Willow) which had an estimated value of €9 million to €12 million.
The latest result has surpassed France’s previous auction record established in 2010 when Amedeo Modigliani’s sculpture Head of a Caryatid sold for €43.2 million.
The sale also comes during a year of renewed attention to Monet’s legacy marking the centenary of his death on December 5, 1926. Paris has been commemorating the milestone with exhibitions exploring the artist’s work and influence on landscape painting.
Sotheby’s had previously described Iris as a major work from the closing period of Monet’s career. Its initial valuation represented the highest estimate ever assigned to a painting offered at auction in France, according to the auction house.
Interest in Monet’s works has also grown following announcements that two paintings by the Impressionist master previously unseen by the public would be offered for sale in Paris by the Schlumberger family.
The record-breaking auction underscores the continuing international appeal of Monet’s art and the willingness of collectors to pay exceptional prices for historically significant masterpieces.
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