Sotheby’s Paris has shattered records in the world of fine art, cementing a historic night at the auction house that culminated in the most expensive artwork ever sold on French soil. The centerpiece of the evening, Claude Monet’s masterful Iris, commanded a staggering €50 million EUR ($56.2 million USD), far exceeding its original high estimate of €30 million EUR.
The landmark sale followed a grueling 45-minute bidding war between six international collectors. Ultimately, the iconic canvas was claimed by a private buyer in Asia, represented by Sotheby’s deputy chairman Jen Hua. The sale of Iris served as the definitive highlight of the Jeanne Schlumberger collection, a “white-glove” auction event—meaning every single item offered found a buyer—that generated a record-breaking total of €74.4 million EUR ($83.7 million USD). This figure now stands as the highest-grossing fine art auction in the history of Sotheby’s Paris.
Monet’s influence dominated the evening beyond the record-breaking Iris. Three additional works by the Impressionist master were sold, with Saule pleureur ou L’Arbre de feu (Weeping Willow or Tree of Fire) proving particularly lucrative, realizing €9.7 million EUR ($10.9 million USD).
The evening also served as a catalyst for other significant milestones in French art history. Pierre Bonnard reached a new pinnacle when his painting La Cueillette des Prunes sold for €2.5 million EUR ($2.9 million USD), marking a new auction record for the artist within France. Similarly, Gustave Moreau’s work on paper, Rêve d’Orient, achieved €1.4 million EUR ($1.6 million USD), setting a new global auction high for a drawing by the artist.
While the auction was defined by its aggressive bidding and high-value sales, there was also a notable preservation victory for the French government. Three paintings by Paul Cézanne, originally slated to go under the hammer, were withdrawn from the auction block shortly before bidding began. The works were granted “national treasure” status by French authorities, a designation that ensures the paintings remain within the country. This strategic intervention has paved the way for the city of Aix-en-Provence to acquire the pieces, securing them for permanent display at the Musée Granet.
The success of the Jeanne Schlumberger collection sale underscores the continued resilience and intensity of the global art market, even as collectors navigate shifting economic landscapes. For Sotheby’s, the evening serves as a definitive statement on the enduring prestige of French Impressionism and the house’s continued dominance in the heart of Paris. As the dust settles on this historic night, the record-breaking sale of Iris will undoubtedly be remembered as a pivotal chapter in the provenance and valuation of Monet’s storied body of work.
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