Just look at that Claude Monet

A Christie's auction house employee gazes upon the 'Le bassin aux nympheas' by Claude Monet (1840-1926). The painting was revealed to the public after 40 years, before it went under the hammer in the Impressionist and Modern Art sale on June 24, 2008 in London.

"Under the hammer" is an art-world term meaning "to be sold at auction." The painting was not actually hit with a hammer.