Huguette Clark's Monet Sells for $27 Million

Huguette Clark, the eccentric recluse who owned a number of splendid homes yet chose to live in a hospital, left notable works of art. Now that disputes over her estate are resolved, Christie's has sold her Monet painting of water lilies for $27 million ($24 million plus $3 million buyer's premium).

Clark's Monet

Christie's was hoping for more. The $24-million sales price may be bad news for the Washington, D.C. Corcoran Gallery, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Though The New York Times describes the Christie's auction of Impressionist and modern art as "tepid," Reuters hails the sale as Christie's best since 2010. In the art world as on Wall Street, apparently, the state of the market may be a matter of opinion.

Huguette Clark: "Due Influence"?

Hospital Caring for an Heiress Pressed Her to Give Lavishly

Her face disfigured by cancer, Huguette Clark checked into Beth Israel hospital in 1991. She stayed 20 years.

Huguette had step-siblings from her father's first marriage. Her last will left them nothing, favoring charitable beneficiaries, notably Beth Israel.

The reclusive Huguette seems to have distanced herself from her family, and  she certainly must have become almost family to Beth Israel.

Could this be a case of due influence? Should it be settled by awarding the step-siblings a little and otherwise honoring the last will? What do you think?

Huguette Clark Owed Millions in Gift Tax

For an eccentric recluse, Huguette Clark seemed to have had her affairs in good order, thanks to her lawyer and accountant. Now the accountant has resigned as an executor of her $400 million estate, amid charges that Huguette – and now her estate – owe the IRS some $90 million in gift taxes and penalties.

Obvious question: Who received those humongous gifts?

Fight over Huguette Clark's Estate

Huguette Clark's estate is back in the news, propelled by reports that in 2005, at age 98, she made two wills within six weeks. The first benefited mainly her relatives. The second, which was offered for probate, left family members nothing.

Readers new to the story should see this MSNBC photo gallery for background on the Clark family,

Huguette Clark's Will

Huguette Clark, the wealthy recluse who died recently at age 104, left her Monet "Water Lily" painting, valued at $25 million, to the Corcoran Gallery of Art. The rest of her extensive art collection will be transferred to the Bellosguardo Foundation, to be established at her Santa Barbara estate.

In addition, Huguette's will leaves $34 million to the Brooklyn nurse who looked after her for the last 20 years.

Update: Read Clark's will here.

Huguette Clark, Reclusive to the End

Heiress Huguette Clark has been interred without funeral or family in attendance, the Daily Mail reports.

Not yet known: how Clark disposed of her $500 million estate. She is thought to have made a new will a few years ago..