Pablo Picasso's Trois nus feminins has sold as top lot in Bonhams' Impressionist and Modern Art auction, held on November 5 in New York.

Picasso is said to have been inspired by Sara Murphy's form

The work, a 1923 piece that Picasso completed while visiting Cap d'Antibes in France, sold comfortably within its $220,000-280,000 estimate at $254,500.                

A superb example from Picasso's neoclassical period, the work was completed while Picasso and his wife, Olga, were on vacation with their American patrons Sara and Gerald Murphy. It displays a sparser approach than previous works completed during this period, and its pose and composition can be seen in a series of 20 drawings completed thereafter.

Executed in pencil, charcoal and Sanguine on paper, the work was previously part of a private Canadian collection, where it had remained since its purchase in 1955. It was previously part of the collection of Gerald Barry, an early supporter of Picasso who was responsible for the renowned tour of Guernica to London on the eve of the second world war.

Paul Fraser Collectibles is currently offering a Pablo Picasso signed postcard of one of his most famous works.

A dream-like, characteristic example of Chagall's work

Also starring was Marc Chagall's Ma rue Podrovskaya, which was completed circa 1956 and stamped with Chagall's signature. A characteristic work, its theme touches upon dreams and memories, with the typical dramatised colour and brush work commonly found in the artist's oeuvre. It sold for $110,500 against a $90,000-120,000 estimate.

See more of our fantastic art collectibles in our online store.