Famed surrealist painting by Czech artist to fetch record price in Prague auction

Considered one of the most outstanding works of 20th century European surrealism, the painting Spící, or Sleeping, made by Czech artist Toyen in 1938 is set to go on sale on March 22 when it returns to the Czech Republic after 60 years abroad. Bidding will begin at the highest starting price ever asked for a work of art in the country, 20 million crowns, or nearly 750,000 EUR.

Marie Čermínová, better known by her pseudonym Toyen, was an avant-garde painter, illustrator and notorious tomboy who moved to Paris before the communist takeover of Czechoslovakia in 1948 and died there in 1980. Her last work to be auctioned fetched 5.5 million crowns.