NEW YORK - The Brooklyn Museum is putting 12 pieces up for auction to raise funds to care for its collection.

The Museum reopened last week at 25 percent capacity.

A spokesperson says the auction is not a direct result of the pandemic but the Museum has seen a surge in maintenance costs over the last decade.

Christie's will be auctioning off several Old Master and 19th Century paintings.

The money earned from selling these pieces will be used to maintain the Museum's collection and create a Collection Care Fund.

A spokesperson for Christie's says they're honored they've been entrusted with the sale and expect it to generate considerable interest from collectors.