Sotheby's says unseen Monet painting could set French auction record

Two paintings by French impressionist painter Claude Monet went on public view for the first time on Thursday (September 17) in Paris, ahead of their auction where they are expected to fetch tens of millions.

'Iris' and 'Weeping Willow' are among the works from the collection of Jeanne Schlumberger, an avid art collector from a family of 19th century French industrialists, which will go on sale at Sotheby's auction house on Oct. 22.

Sotheby's vice-president Thomas Bompard said the two works had never even been reproduced in colour and had remained unvarnished and unlined, "exactly how Monet painted them."

'Iris' has been given an estimated price of between 22 and 30 million euros (25 - 34 million dollars), while 'Weeping Willow' is estimated at between 9-12 million euros (10 - 14 million dollars).

Bompard said the price for 'Iris' was the highest ever estimated for a painting before its sale at auction in French history.

Alongside the Monets, works by painters Paul Cezanne and Gustave Moreau and sculptor Camille Claudel will also be up for auction.

Camera & Editing: Antony Paone, Production & Writing: Lewis Macdonald/Reuters