Nature morte aux tulips, one of Pablo Picasso's best known representations of his muse Marie-Therese, is to top Sotheby's annual Impressionist and Modern Art Evening Sale in New York.
 1932 is widely regarded as the pinnacle of Picasso's career |
The November 5 auction will see five major Picasso works dominate the sale, with estimates ranging from $6m to $50m. Nature morte aux tulips will see the highest bids, with an estimated value of $35m-50m.
The work was painted in 1932, the year which is widely recognised as the pinnacle of Picasso's remarkable career. Depicting Marie-Therese Walter, the artist's young mistress and muse, the piece is part of the series that would see Picasso propelled to the forefront of the art world.
Nature morte aux tulips is also one of the legendary paintings that Picasso completed for the major retrospective that he planned in the summer of 1932. It was at this exhibition that his wife, Olga, was alerted to Marie-Therese's existence and this ultimately led to the collapse of their marriage.
The work was previously sold at a Christie's auction in May 2000, when it realised $28.6m. Should it meet the low estimate in Sotheby's sale, it will see a 25% increase in value.
Paul Fraser Collectibles is currently offering a signed postcard of one of Picasso's most famous works, Absinthe Drinker.
 The work is likely to be boosted by the sale of a more important Monet at Christie's |
Also featuring in the sale will be Claude Monet's Champ de bleu, which is expected to make $5-7m to benefit the Cleveland Museum of Art's acquisition fund. The work will undoubtedly be boosted by the excitement surrounding the sale of Monet's Nympheas, which is expected to sell for $50m at Christie's on November 7.
We are also currently offering a handwritten signed letter from Monet, which is written on headed paper from his famous Giverny home. Sign up to Paul Fraser Collectibles' free weekly newsletter for more of the latest news from across the art world, as well as the results of this exciting sale.
