Sotheby’s has an extraordinary portrait by Modigliani to sell and it is going on the block in Paris this June:

Sotheby’s is honoured to offer Amedeo Modigliani’s masterful Portrait of Paul Alexandre for sale in Parison 4 June 2014. This famous painting (estimate €5-8m / $6.9-11m) dates from 1911/12 and portrays Modigliani’s first and major patron during the seven years after his arrival in France in 1907. It has never previously appeared on the market, having remained until today in the ownership of Paul Alexandre’s descendants. Although the portrait is acknowledged in works of reference it has been seen in public only rarely, during prestigious exhibitions.

For seven years, from 1907 until his conscription in 1914, Paul Alexandre was Modigliani’s confidant, mentor and patron. The two men had real intellectual affinities, and enjoyed long, daily conversations about painting, poetry, literature and philosophy. As his only buyer, Alexandre acquired nearly 500 drawings and a dozen paintings during this period, including our magnificent Portrait of Paul Alexandre, now appearing on the market for the first time.