Seminal work by artist Kazimir Malevich going on the auction block, could sell for up to $45M

An auction will feature a painting by Kazimir Malevich (MAL'-ih-vihch) that was returned to the artist's heirs after a half-century in an Amsterdam museum.

Sotheby's says "Mystic Suprematism (Black Cross on Red Oval)" could sell for as much as $45 million on Nov.5.

The 1920-22 work is the last of a group of five paintings returned to the Russian artist's heirs.

The work was exhibited in Berlin in 1927. Malevich was born in Ukraine and of Polish descent. He was unable to leave the Soviet Union.

Eventually the painting was sold to the Stedelijk (STAYD'-lihk) Museum. Amsterdam returned it in 2008.

Of the four other restituted works, two sold at Sotheby's — one for a record $60 million. One went to the Art Institute of Chicago and another to a private collector.