Gauguin painting could sell for £10m

A work by French artist Paul Gauguin painted in tribute to his friend Vincent Van Gogh could fetch £10 million at auction next month.

The painting, which will be offered for sale at Christie's auction house in central London on February 9, is one of 46 lots which will be sold on the day.

Gauguin painted the work, Nature Morte A L'Esperance, in Tahiti in 1901.

Giovanna Bertazzoni, director and head of Impressionist and Modern Art at Christie's London, said collectors from markets including China and Russia had pushed record sales and results last year.

He said: "This year's auction at Christie's in February will offer a significantly high number of impressive works that have been in private hands for decades, as well as four which are offered from the Art Institute of Chicago, all of which will present rare opportunities for art collectors and institutions."

The Gauguin painting has previously been exhibited at museums including the Tate in London, but has not been seen in public since 1989.

Thousands of people have visited an exhibition dedicated to the French artist, who spent his final years in Tahiti, at Tate Modern in the last few months.