Monet painting sold at auction for 50 million euros

A painting by Claude Monet, titled Iris, was sold at auction for 50 million euros, making it the most expensive artwork sold at auction in France. The auction took place in Paris as part of the Jeanne Schlumberger collection, which featured 28 rare masterpieces. Initially estimated to sell for 22 to 30 million euros, the painting fetched 43 million euros after intense bidding. The total price, including buyer's fees, reached 50 million euros. Iris had never been publicly displayed before and was known only through a black-and-white photograph. The sale of the Schlumberger collection totaled 74.4 million euros, setting a record for Sotheby's in Paris. Two exhibitions celebrating Monet's centenary are currently being held in Paris.