Several of the most famous artists in history, including Picasso, Matisse and Rembrandt will help to raise two million dollars for a local children's charity next month.

The fourth annual art auction to raise money for the Coalition for the Protection of Children will be held in March.

Approximately 25 pieces of art work will be up for auction, including works from Picasso, Chagall, Matisse, two generations of Pissaro, Rembrandt and Renoir.

Director of the Coalition for the Protection of Children, Sheelagh Cooper said: "In the past, the Coalition has been very fortunate to have local artists who generously give their art for auction.

"This year, though, we thought we would give them a break and do something a little different.'' The auction aims to raise money for a major fund-raising campaign to build a residential psychiatric treatment centre for children, which Ms. Cooper said was "long overdue''.

And she said there was certainly a need for this type of care in Bermuda as currently, children with psychiatric problems are either sent off the Island for treatment or to St. Brendan's Psychiatric Hospital in Devonshire, which she believes is ill-suited to the needs of children.

Bacardi International Limited has agreed to host the weeklong event, which runs from March 11 to the auction on March 17.

Mrs. Cooper said that bidding on some pieces will start at as little as $3,000, but many will command amounts closer to $60,000 to $70,000.

During the week there will be public lectures as well as opportunities for people to come and see the artwork in the evening.

School children will also have the opportunity to learn about the artists and see the artwork during the day.

An American dealer based in Beverly Hills is supplying the art from his gallery, Titus Fine Art, which specialises in these types of works, and he will accompany the pieces to Bermuda.

Mrs. Cooper explained that the artwork was being offered to them on a wholesale basis, and if pieces are not sold, they will return with the dealer to America.

Local auctioneer Andrea Casling of Hammers Limited will be auctioning the artwork and bidding will start at the wholesale price plus the cost of duty.

Mrs. Cooper said: "There will be plenty of opportunity to acquire pieces at less than market value while at the same time contributing to a very worthwhile charitable foundation.'' Mrs. Cooper gave examples of some of the works that will be up for auction and said: "There are three Pissarro's that I expect will be very popular, one is an oil painting that he did of he and his family which is painted right on the actual palette, and the other two pieces are oil pastels, one of which is a seaside scene that would appeal to a lot of Bermudians.'' Also up for auction will be a series of self-portraits by Rembrandt that are small lithographs and from the Picasso family collection, an etching which was one of five proofs before the plate was bevelled and steel-faced.

Former Senior Curator of the National Gallery, Marlee Robinson is chairing the auction committee and she explained that the artwork was comprised of graphics such as etchings, lithographs, and woodcuts.

And she explained that the degree to which the artist was actually involved in producing the works varied.

Ms Robinson said: "The artist creates an image and works with technicians who realise the image.'' Those interested in attending the auction -- which is by invitation only -- should contact Ms Robinson at the Coalition for the Protection of Children at 295-1150.