A triptych of three self-portraits by famed contemporary artist Francis Bacon and a major canvas by Lucian Freud, currently the world's highest-priced living artist, will be sold by Christie's next month, the auction house has said.

The London sale follows record auction figures achieved for paintings by the two artists in New York last week.

"Three Studies for a Self Portrait," a triptych painted in 1975 in Paris by Irish-born Bacon (1909-1992) and valued at more than 10 million sterling will go under the hammer on June 30.

The triptych -- never before seen in public -- will go on sale alongside "Naked Portrait with Reflection" by German-born Freud.

The latter's picture shows a young woman coiled up on a couch with the painter's legs visible in the background, reflected in a mirror. It is valued at between 10 and 15 million sterling.

"In recent years, the growing international demand for exceptional works by Freud and Bacon has seen them established and recognised as two of the most talented, influential and valuable artists of the second half of the 20th century," said Pilar Ordovas, head of post-war and contemporary art at Christie's London.

"Freud's Naked Portrait with Reflection is one of the most important of his works to appear on the open market, and Bacon's Three Studies for a Self Portrait is a rare and emotionally charged work from the artist's brief but creative period in Paris in the 1970s."

Ordovas said the art market remained firm despite economic slowdown in the United States and turbulence on money markets.

A three-panel work by Bacon was sold at auction in New York last week for 86.2 million dollars, setting a new record for a painting by the artist.

A day earlier, "Benefits Supervisor Sleeping," a nude by Freud, became the most expensive work ever by a living artist after selling at Christie's for more than 34 million dollars.

Bacon and Freud were close friends throughout the London art scene of the 1950s and 1960s.

Both pictures were bought by Russian industrialist and Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich, the respected Art Newspaper has reported.

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Tue May 20, 3:40 AM ET

A triptych of three self-portraits by famed contemporary artist Francis Bacon (L) and a major canvas entitled, 'Naked Portrait with Reflection' by Lucian Freud - currently the world's highest-priced living artist - will be sold by Christie's next month, the auction house has said.

(AFP/Ben Stansall)