These are major paintings that will only pique people's interest and make them want to know more about their contexts.

And in other cases, private owners were unwilling or extremely reluctant to part with major paintings for similar reasons.

She did not create a major painting after 1939.

Four other major 16th- and 17th-century paintings at Christie's are estimated to bring $300,000 to $500,000 each.

His work, starting in the 1980s was usually of the figure including a number of major paintings with subject matter.

"Four major paintings by Kline sold last year for more than $1 million each," she said.

Still, major early paintings by Johns don't often come on the market.

Among the major decorative paintings of our century, they take a high place.

Each of those exhibitions centered on a major painting in the Frick's collection.