One of four versions of Edvard Munch's The Scream is to be sold at auction with a guide price of $80m.
The Scream is easily one of the most recognisable paintings in the world, along with the Mona Lisa, Van Gogh's Starry Night and Michelangelo's David, it is to be sold by Sotheby's in New York City.
Sotheby's have said the expected minimum will be in excess of $80m (£50m), making it one of the most expensive paintings sold in auction history.
The Scream is one of four versions painted by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. Simon Shaw of Sotheby's in New York said: 'Munch's The Scream is the defining image of modernity, and it is an immense privilege for Sotheby's to be entrusted with one of the most important works of art in private hands.
'Instantly recognisable, this is one of very few images which transcends art history and reaches a global consciousness. The Scream arguably embodies even greater power today than when it was conceived.
'At a time of great critical interest in the artist, and with the 150th anniversary of his birth in 2013, this spring is a particularly compelling time for The Scream to appear on the market. For collectors and institutions, the opportunity to acquire such a singularly influential masterpiece is unprecedented in recent times.'
The auction's guide price puts The Scream amongst auction record holders including the current record holder Picasso's Nude, Green Leaves and Bust, sold for $106m (£70m) in May 2010.
This version of The Scream is the only remaining one in private collection, currently owned by Norwegian businessman Petter Olsen, Olsen's father was a friend and patron of Munch.
' I feel the moment has come to offer the rest of the world a chance to own and appreciate this remarkable work, which is the only version of The Scream not in the collection of a Norwegian museum,' said Olsen.
'Proceeds from this sale will go toward the establishment of a new museum, art centre and hotel on my farm Ramme Gaard at Hvitsten, Norway. It will open next year in connection with the Munch 150th anniversary, and will be dedicated to the artist's work and time there,' he added.
All other versions of The Scream have been stolen over the years but safely recovered, the most recent of which was by a masked gunman in 2008.
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