The most important painting by Impressionist Edouard Manet in private hands, described as one of the greatest self-portraits in art history, is expected to fetch up to 30 million pounds when it goes under the hammer.
Sotheby's is to sell the painting, 'Self-Portrait with a Palette' -- one of two existing works that Manet had painted of himself -- at an auction in London next month, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported.
Manet, who mentored a whole generation of artists including Monet and Renoir, painted the image in 1878 when he was enjoying unprecedented critical acclaim. The artist, whose work is key to the development of modern art, was rooted in the traditions of the Old Masters and emerged from the school of Realism that dominated French art of the 19th Century.
By breaking with convention, he caused outrage among many of the leading critics of the time but won admiration from his younger peers. Manet became the hero of the avant garde, and was dubbed a "rebel in a top hat" when he exhibited his painting Dejeuner Sur L'Herbe (1862-63).
Self-Portrait With A Palette is one of just two self-portraits by the artist and the only one in private hands -- the other is at the Bridgestone Museum of Art in Tokyo. Hedge fund billionaire Steven A Cohen is selling the masterpiece which is to be auctioned on June 22.
Charles Moffett, Sotheby's executive vice president, has described the painting as "not only the greatest Manet portrait in private hands, but also one of the very greatest self-portraits in the entire canon of art history".