Stash of Impressionist and modern treasures auctioned in Paris

Impressionist, modern treasures auctioned in Paris

PARIS — Bidders at a hotly awaited auction at Sotheby’s in Paris are vying for a long-lost stash of Renoirs, Cezannes, Degas and Gauguins that were hidden away in a bank vault for decades.

The collection, which includes many drawings and prints, was amassed by influential Parisian art dealer Ambroise Vollard.

The collection was found in 1979 in a Paris bank vault, nearly four decades after Vollard’s death in a car crash.

It had been neglected for decades because Erich Slomovic, an acquaintance of Vollard who deposited the art in the bank in 1939, was killed by the Nazis during World War II.

The sale takes place Tuesday.