R$ 282 million: Monet painting becomes most expensive work of art ever sold in France

The painting by the master of impressionism was being presented to the public for the first time, as part of the sale of a Schlumberger family collection. The painting, measuring 1.60 m x 1.80 m, had never left the family mansion in Paris, and was known only through a black and white photograph.

The work was acquired in the past by art collector Jeanne Schlumberger (1889-1983), directly from the painter's family, said Thomas Bompard, director of the Modern and Contemporary Art department at Sotheby's France.

Iris, a painting that Monet created at his home in Giverny, was valued at between 22 million and 30 million euros (between R$130 million and R$178 million), "the highest estimate ever attributed to a painting offered at auction in France", highlighted Sotheby's last week.

Three other works by Monet were sold today at auctions organized by the house, including "Salgueiro-Chorão", sold for 9.6 million euros (R$54.26 million), and "O Sena em Vernon", for 4.2 million (R$23.74 million).