A rarely seen painting by French Impressionist master Claude Monet has made art market history after selling for an astonishing 50 million euros ($56 million) at a Sotheby’s auction in Paris. The work, titled “Iris”, had never previously been exhibited publicly, making its appearance at the auction a significant moment for collectors and art enthusiasts.
Created between 1924 and 1925, the monumental painting attracted intense interest from international buyers, with a 45-minute bidding battle eventually pushing its final price far beyond its initial estimate. The winning bid came from a private collector in Asia, establishing a new record for the most expensive painting ever sold at auction in France.
The sale also surpassed the previous French auction record held by Amedeo Modigliani’s Head of a Caryatid, which fetched 43.2 million euros at Christie’s in Paris in 2010.
The sale of “Iris” became the defining moment of Sotheby’s auction dedicated to the collection of Jean Schlumberger, bringing renewed attention to Monet’s later artistic career and the enduring appeal of his work.
The painting entered the auction with an estimated value of between 22 million and 30 million euros. Even before bidding began, that estimate represented the highest valuation ever assigned to a painting offered at a French auction.
After approximately 45 minutes of competitive bidding, six prospective buyers had competed for the work before a private collector in Asia secured it for 50 million euros.
Thomas Bompard, co-head of Sotheby’s France’s modern and contemporary art department, celebrated the achievement following the sale.
He described the result as a historic moment for the auction house and Paris, highlighting the six bidders, the lengthy competition and the record-breaking final price.
Why the Painting Attracted So Much Attention
One of the most remarkable aspects of “Iris” is its history of limited public exposure.
Unlike many celebrated works by Monet, which have spent decades in museums or appeared in major exhibitions, this painting had never been displayed publicly before its auction appearance.
That rarity gave collectors an unusual opportunity to acquire a significant work by one of the most influential figures in modern art.
The painting is also impressive in scale. Measuring almost 1.8 metres across, the nearly square canvas commands a substantial physical presence, allowing Monet’s treatment of colour, light and natural forms to occupy a large visual field.
Its creation in 1924–1925 places it within the final years of the artist’s life, when his work increasingly reflected his sustained fascination with gardens, flowers and the changing appearance of the natural world.
The Previous Record Held by Modigliani
Before Monet’s achievement, the record for the most expensive painting sold at auction in France belonged to Amedeo Modigliani.
His work Head of a Caryatid sold for 43.2 million euros at Christie’s in Paris in 2010.
The 50 million euros result for “Iris” surpassed that figure by 6.8 million euros, establishing a new benchmark for French auction sales.
Other Monet Paintings Also Find Buyers
Although “Iris” dominated the headlines, the auction included several other works by Monet from the collection of Jean Schlumberger.
Two paintings achieved prices within their respective pre-sale estimates, adding to the strong overall performance of the collection.
Weeping Willow, created in 1918–1919, sold for 9.6 million euros. The painting belongs to a period when Monet frequently explored the relationship between trees, reflections, light and the surrounding landscape.
Another work, House in the Rose Garden, dating from 1925–1926, achieved 2.5 million euros.
The sale also included Seine at Vernon, Trees, painted in 1894. That work fetched 4.2 million euros, more than twice its upper estimate.
Together, the paintings offered a broader view of the artist’s career, spanning different moments in his exploration of landscapes, gardens and the effects of light.
Three Early Cézanne Paintings to Join a French Museum
The auction also featured an important development for France’s cultural heritage, as three early paintings by Paul Cézanne were acquired in advance by the city of Aix-en-Provence and the French Ministry of Culture.
The works, titled The Farm, Trees by the River and The Sky Between the Trees, were created between 1862 and 1864.
They originally formed part of the wall decoration at Jas de Bouffan, the Cézanne family home in Aix-en-Provence, where the artist developed his early approach to painting.
The three works were designated national treasures, reflecting their cultural and historical significance.
Following their acquisition, the paintings are set to become part of the collection at the Musée Granet in Aix-en-Provence.
Their addition will provide the museum with an opportunity to present works connected directly to Cézanne’s early artistic development and his relationship with the region where he grew up.
While the Monet sale demonstrated the financial power of the international art market, the Cézanne acquisitions highlighted the role of public institutions in protecting and preserving national artistic heritage.
