Claude Monet’s rarely seen Water Lilies has sold at auction in New York for just over $US27 million ($A29.21 million).

The 1907 painting of his beloved Giverny, France, garden sold on Tuesday at Christie’s to an undisclosed bidder.

The work was part of copper heiress Huguette Clark’s estate. It has not been publicly exhibited since 1926.

Christie’s is selling hundreds of items from her collection after a feud over her estate was settled in the northern autumn.

Claude Monet’s rarely seen Water Lilies has sold at auction.

Water Lillies had been expected to sell for $US25 million to $US35 million.

Pablo Picasso’s 1942 Portrait of Dora Maar sold for $US22.5 million.

Wassily Kandinsky’s 1909 abstract Beach Scene fetched $US17.2 million.

Those works came from the estate of German collectors Viktor and Marianne Langen and were at auction for the first time.