NEW YORK (AP) Important paintings by Monet and Renoir are among 400 items that will be sold from a reclusive heiress’ private trove at Christie’s in May, the auction house announced today.
The sale of Huguette Clark collection comes after a feud over her estate was settled in the fall. A onetime socialite, Clark died in 2011 at 104 years old. She had a home in New Canaan in addition to a home in Santa Barbara, California and three apartments in Manhattan, but she elected to spend her last 20 years in a hospital.
Monet’s ‘‘Water Lilies,’’ which Christie’s said has not been publicly exhibited since 1926, is estimated to sell for $25 million to $35 million. The total collection is expected to bring in more than $50 million.
She signed two wills within six weeks at age 98, the first bequeathing her riches mostly to about 20 distant relatives and the second cutting them out. The September settlement mainly benefited arts institutions and the distant relations. The auction proceeds will go to the estate to be distributed.
