Art lovers gathered in Moscow on Wednesday for a chance to see famous Russian paintings on display, before being auctioned off by Sotheby's, in London next month. Take a look.

Among the 20 items exhibited was a rare watercolour piece by Russian avant-garde artist Kazimir Malevich titled "The Secret of Temptation". This was painted in 1908 during his brief simplist period.

RETO BARMETTLER DIRECTOR AND HEAD OF SALES, RUSSIAN PICTURES SOTHEBY'S "What is interesting about this work as well, is obviously on the vector you see the simplest work which is dated and signed - I'll just take it off the wall - and you actually have a second work at the back, which is also by Malevich and it is a portrait of Ivan Kliun, another very important artist of the Russian Avant-Garde, close friend of Malevich's."

Another masterpiece shown was the "Excelsior" by Pavel Tchelitche. Painted in 1934, the piece belongs to music producer Seymour Stein, who discovered artists including Madonna and Lenny Kravitz. Its estimated price is between 250-thousand and 350-thousand pounds.

IRINA STEPANOVA GENERAL DIRECTOR, SOTHEBY'S RUSSIA "The showpieces like this are incredibly rare. It is a masterpiece. We expect great interest, collectioners come today to see it. It is hard to predict, but we expect it to be sold for sure.

The Sotheby's auction is expected to be held in London on June 5.