An LS Lowry painting being sold off by a local council to help balance its books, could fetch up to �800,000, according to auction house Christies.
A Riverbank, owned by Bury Council in Greater Manchester, will go under the hammer on Friday.
The work - depicting the River Irwell - was bought by Bury Council in 1951 for �175, but has a guide price of between �500,000 and �800,000.
The decision to sell the painting has sparked opposition among residents.
Matchstick men
The Museums Association has described the sale as "deeply irresponsible" and said the council faces disciplinary action.
The authority, which displayed the painting at Bury Museum and Art Gallery, said it was putting its people before a picture and has to sell the painting to help fund core services.
Christies is selling the painting as part of a sale of 20th Century British art. It will sit along other Lowry works including The Empty House and The Local Store.
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