Paris, Oct 1 (IANS) A small oil painting by French Impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir was stolen from a sale room near Paris, the day before it was due to go up for auction, the media reported.

The piece was on display ahead of the auction in Saint-Germain-en-Laye when it was removed on Saturday, reports the BBC.

It had an estimated sale price of between $29,500 and $35,500.

Measuring just 14 cm by 12.2 cm, the Portrait d'une Jeune Fille Blonde (Portrait of a Blonde Young Girl) includes the initials AR in the top left corner.