Madonna selling Leger painting at NYC auction

[April 04, 2013]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Madonna is parting with an abstract French painting she's owned for more than 20 years to support educating girls in Afghanistan, Pakistan and other countries. It's expected to bring $5 million to $7 million.

Fernand Leger's (lay-ZHAYZ') "Three Women at the Red Table" will be offered May 7 at Sotheby's auction house. All proceeds will benefit the Ray of Light Foundation.

The pop diva says she wants "to trade something valuable for something invaluable" in countries where female education is rare or nonexistent.

She purchased "Three Women" at Sotheby's in 1990.

Leger created the work in 1921 as part of a series depicting women with still-life compositions.

Other examples from the series are in the Dallas Museum of Art and the Beyeler Foundation in Switzerland.

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Online:

http://www.sothebys.com/

http://www.therayoflightfoundation.org/

[Associated Press]

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