Lucian Freud’s Dozing Nude Could Fetch $47M at Auction
Lucian Freud's monumental nude painting "Sleeping by the Lion Carpet" (1995–96) is heading to auction at Sotheby's in London on June 24, with an estimate of up to £35 million (~$47 million). The over-seven-foot-tall work depicts model Sue Tilley, who met Freud through performance artist Leigh Bowery, and is the last in a series of four monumental portraits of Tilley in resting postures. The painting was purchased directly from Freud by collector Joe Lewis via dealer Bill Acquavella, and will be exhibited at Sotheby's Bond Street Galleries from June 10–23 alongside works by Degas, Matisse, and Klimt.