Two paintings by French Impressionist master Claude Monet that have never been publicly exhibited will go under the hammer in Paris next month as part of a major sale from the Schlumberger family collection.
The two works, “Iris” and “Saule Pleureur” (Weeping Willow), will be offered by Sotheby’s on October 22. The collection will also feature works by other major artists, including Paul Cézanne.
“Iris,” painted in 1924–25 near the end of Monet’s life, is expected to attract significant attention. Sotheby’s has estimated the large-scale work at €22 million to €30 million, describing the upper estimate as the highest ever assigned to a painting offered at auction in France. The painting remained in the Schlumberger family’s Paris home after collector Jeanne Schlumberger acquired it.
The second Monet, “Saule Pleureur,” dates from 1918–19 and depicts the weeping willow that stood beside Monet’s famous water-lily pond at Giverny. It carries an estimate of €9 million to €12 million.
The auction comes during a year marking the centenary of Monet’s death in 1926. Two exhibitions dedicated to the artist are also scheduled to open in Paris later this month.
The Schlumberger collection also includes three works by Cézanne. Among them is “La Ferme” (The Farm), estimated at €600,000 to €800,000 and described as the largest work by the artist ever offered at auction. The Cézanne works have been designated national treasures, allowing the French state time to consider a possible acquisition.
The collection will be presented in Hong Kong and New York before reaching Sotheby’s Paris for the October sale.
