Paul Cezanne, for example, was the greatest painter of the modern period but not one of his many masterpieces would be considered an icon.

BBC: Too famous to see?

It is the most popular exhibition in Tate history, beating the 406, 000 who saw Paul Cezanne's works at the organisation's Millbank site in 1996.

BBC: Tate toasts Matisse marathon

"A Card Player" by Paul Cezanne, will be the star lot of a sale of Impressionist and Modern Art at Christie's in New York on May 1, 2012.

CNN: March 30, 2012 -- Updated 1502 GMT (2302 HKT)

One highlight of the May auctions was the sale of ''Nature Morte au Melon Vert, '' a delicious still-life composition by the painter Paul Cezanne that grabbed the top price at Sotheby's Impressionist and Modern auction.

FORBES: Scintillating Cezanne, Sizzling Season