Two Monet canvases surface
Two Monet landscapes—unseen for a century—are slated for Sotheby’s Paris on April 16, and they're being billed as among the most valuable Monets to hit the French market since 2001 ( ). One of the works, “Les Îles de Port‑Villez” (c.1883), was previously known only from a black‑and‑white photograph, making its appearance at auction particularly rare (news.artnet.com).
Les Îles de Port‑Villez carries a documented provenance: Galerie Durand‑Ruel acquired it directly from Monet on 11 December 1883, it transferred to Durand‑Ruel, New York in 1897, and the work passed by descent to Jean and Marie‑Louise d’Alayer before appearing in a 3 June 1954 sale at Galerie Charpentier. (lot-art.com) The canvas is oil on canvas, signed and dated “83” (lower left), and measures 65.5 × 81.8 cm (25¾ × 32¼ in). (lot-art.com) Press coverage of Sotheby’s catalog lists estimates of roughly €3–5 million for Les Îles and €6–8 million for Vétheuil, with dollar equivalents reported at about $3.5–$5.8 million and $6.9–$9.2 million respectively. (news.artnet.com) Artnet reports Les Îles was last publicly shown in Paul Durand‑Ruel’s Fifth Avenue gallery in the early 20th century and that the painting had been sequestered in a private collection for approximately 115 years. (news.artnet.com) Vétheuil, Effet du Matin is dated circa 1901 in the press imagery and is described in coverage as a pointillistic view of the Seine that carries the higher €6–8 million estimate. (news.artnet.com) Sotheby’s Paris will offer both works in its Art Moderne et Contemporain Evening Auction on 16 April 2026 at 83 rue du Faubourg Saint‑Honoré, a sale the house and market coverage have framed as the most significant offering of Monet canvases in France since 2001. (sothebys.com)
