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Modigliani Portrait Could Fetch $70M at Sotheby's London

market-auction · 2026-05-05

Sotheby's London will auction an Amedeo Modigliani portrait of Jeanne Hébuterne on June 21, 2016, as part of its Impressionist & Modern Art sale. The painting, titled Jeanne Hébuterne (au foulard), dates from 1919, a year before the artist's death, and has remained in a private collection since 1986. Experts estimate a starting price around $40 million, with potential to approach or exceed the $70.7 million record set by Modigliani's Tête at Sotheby's New York in November 2014. The artist's Nu couché still holds the top record at $170 million from Christie's New York in 2015. The sale also features a Picasso portrait of Fernande Olivier from 1909, Femme assise, with an estimate upon request.

Key facts

  • Sotheby's London holds Impressionist & Modern Art sale on June 21, 2016.
  • Modigliani portrait Jeanne Hébuterne (au foulard) from 1919 is a key lot.
  • The painting has been in a private collection since 1986.
  • Estimated starting price around $40 million.
  • Modigliani's Tête sold for $70.7 million at Sotheby's New York in November 2014.
  • Nu couché by Modigliani holds record at $170 million from Christie's New York in 2015.
  • Picasso's Femme assise (1909) portrait of Fernande Olivier is also offered.
  • Both Modigliani and Picasso works have estimates upon request.

Entities

Artists

  • Amedeo Modigliani
  • Pablo Picasso
  • Fernande Olivier
  • Jeanne Hébuterne

Institutions

  • Sotheby's
  • Christie's
  • Artribune

Locations

  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • New York
  • United States

Sources