Soutine's L'Homme au Foulard Rouge made more than �8m

The London auction, which used material from American collections, made almost �95m, with 30 lots making over �1m.

The top price for a single painting was �8,756,000 for Chaim Soutine's L'Homme au Foulard Rouge, which had been given an estimate of between �3.5m and �5m.

Works by Renoir, Degas, Monet and Edvard Munch and a sculpture by Modigliani were also sold.

Sotheby's said there was a surge of interest in the modern art market, as shown by the fact the Soutine was sold for �1.5m just a decade ago.

Melanie Clore, co-chairman of Sotheby's Impressionist and modern art department, said: "What was most encouraging about tonight's sale was that the evening's success was not pegged on a single picture but, led by the Soutine, the strength of the market was evident throughout.

"The results this evening provide clear evidence of the depth of the market - the buyers are informed and considered private collectors, or dealers representing private collectors."

Of the collections sold, the highlight was that of the late Charles R Lachman, a founding partner of Revlon cosmetics.