Le Grand Canal by Claude Monet is to lead a sale at Sotheby's London on February 3 with a valuation of £20m-30m ($30.6m-45.9m).
The piece was executed on a trip to Venice in 1908 and demonstrates his mastery of light and colour.
 Monet made the trip to Venice just once - in 1908 |
Monet made the journey to the city just once, famously exclaiming as he approached it by train: "It is too beautiful to be painted! It is untranslatable!"
He did make an attempt, however, and painted a total of 37 canvases which rank among his most popular works.
Helena Newman, Sotheby's joint head of impressionist & modern art, commented: "The market for works by Claude Monet has now reached an all-time point of strength, with bidders coming from four times as many countries as a decade ago.
"Reflecting the outstanding quality and beauty of the work, Le Grand Canal was prominently displayed for eight years at The National Gallery, London.
"Given the painting's rarity and exceptional quality, and the strong price of £19.7m achieved when we sold Monet's Venice view Le Palais Contarini in 2013, we anticipate enthusiastic global interest prior to the sale in February."
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