Modigliani nude masterpiece could bring $100M at NYC auction
By Associated Press
Sep 3, 2015 11:00 AM CDT
This image provided by Christie's Images shows the painting "Reclining Nude," created in 1917 to 1918 by Amedeo Modigliani, that caused a scandal nearly a century ago. The painting is going on the auction block for the first time and will be the highlight of Christie's Nov. 9, 2015, sale in New York....   (Associated Press)

NEW YORK (AP) — A painting of a female nude by Amedeo Modigliani (ah-mah-DAY'-oh moh-deel-YAH'-nee) that caused a scandal nearly a century ago is going on the auction block for the first time.

"Reclining Nude" was created in 1917 to 1918. It will be the highlight of Christie's Nov. 9 New York sale.

The work's presale estimate is over $100 million. That would exceed the current artist record of nearly $71 million.

It's one of Modigliani's best-known works.

It was among a series of female nudes created for his friend and dealer Leopold Zborowski (sbuh-ROH'-skee). They created a public outcry at Modigliani's first and only one-man show, at a Paris gallery.

It's been exhibited at major museums worldwide, including New York's Museum of Modern Art.

The painting comes from a private Swiss collection.