Another hour's work would have fetched that west shore.

The process can take two to three months, yet the completed work will fetch a mere $15 to $35 in the market.

A few years ago, the work probably would have fetched $1.5 million to $2.5 million.

While Christie's catalogue doesn't give an estimate, the auction house said the work might fetch about $8 million.

"The work of masterpiece quality has fetched very high prices."

But it was also about the money: the early work is fetching increasingly high prices.

The house estimates that the work, executed from 1908 to 1917, will fetch $3 million to $4 million.

Christie's estimates the work could fetch $40 million to $60 million.

Whatever else happened, she knew her work would be in demand and fetch huge prices from the good and the great of Rome.

Only 250 copies were printed, and the work has fetched more than four times the original price.