A still life by French Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cezanne, “Nature Morte Au Melon Vert,” sold at a New York auction on late Tuesday for more than $25.5 million, according to BBC News. The watercolor, a still life containing a ripe green melon, garnered a higher price than any other Cezanne work in recorded history.

According to Bloomberg.com reports, the highest estimate for the painting, which was sold at Sotheby’s New York auction house, was $18 million. Its previous owner, art collector Giuseppe Eskenazi, purchased it for $4.3 million at Sotheby’s in London in 1989.

Eskenazi said he intends to use the proceeds to pay for his grandchildren’s college tuition.

“Nature Morte Au Melon Vert,” painted at the beginning of the 20th century, was considered Cezanne’s most important watercolor to remain in private hands.

The auction also featured two Picasso works and Lyonel Feininger’s “Jesuits III,” which sold for more than $23 million.

The BBC reports that altogether the auction garnered $280 million. It was the second most lucrative auction in Sotheby’s history.

Posted: 05|11|07 at 9:20 am. Filed under: US News.