Modigliani nude masterpiece could bring $100M at NYC auction
By Associated Press
Sep 3, 2015 9:40 AM CDT

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.