The Independent‘s Andrew Johnson corrals all the Modern works on offer at Christie’s that haven’t seen the light of day for generations:

For 90 years this exquisite and rare work by the Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani has graced the home of one wealthy family. The image of two young girls was painted in the south of France in 1918 as the artist avoided the ravages of the end of the First World War. Now, for the first time, it is to go under the hammer. [ . . . ]

The painting, Les Deux Filles, is one of a slew of Impressionist and modern paintings that have never been to auction but which will be sold by Christie’s next month in an attempt to buck the collapse of the art market. Henri Matisse’s Femme Assise sur un Balcon, 1919, for example, passed through generations of the artist’s family and has never before even been loaned to an exhibition. [ . . . ]

Also at Christie’s is a 1972 Miró that was given by the artist to the current seller and has never been exhibited; a 1921 Bonnard that has never left private hands and was last exhibited for two months in 1966. Sotheby’s also has works hidden from public view for decades, including a 1943 Miró last shown in 1957.

Seen for the very first time: Faltering art market given a boost (The Independent)