“Magritte Painting Sets Record as Highest-Selling Surrealist Artwork in History”
**René Magritte’s “L’empire des lumières” and the Record-Breaking World of Surrealist Art**
The Surrealist movement, celebrated for its dreamlike juxtapositions and exploration of the subconscious, continues to captivate the art world even a century after its inception. This enduring fascination was evident in the recent record-breaking sale of Belgian painter René Magritte’s “L’empire des lumières” (1954), which fetched an astonishing $121.16 million at Christie’s auction house on November 19, 2024. The price not only surpassed its $95 million pre-sale estimate but also set a new benchmark as the most expensive Surrealist artwork ever sold at auction.
### A Masterpiece of Surrealist Duality
Quintessential to Magritte’s oeuvre, “L’empire des lumières” showcases his signature ability to juxtapose the impossible within mundane settings. The painting depicts a serene, warm-toned nighttime scene of a house illuminated by a lamppost, yet the sky above it inexplicably remains a soft, daytime blue. This paradoxical interplay between day and night evokes an uncanny tension that simultaneously comforts and unsettles viewers.
The enigmatic composition exemplifies Magritte’s fascination with visual contradictions and philosophical questions about reality and perception. “The mind loves the unknown,” the artist once remarked, and “L’empire des lumières” eloquently embodies this philosophy, inviting endless interpretation.
### A Triumph at Auction
The auction of this particular iteration of “L’empire des lumières” attracted a feverish bidding war lasting nearly 10 minutes. Two telephone bidders propelled the sale to its final price, cementing Magritte’s position as one of the most celebrated artists within the Surrealist canon. This particular work, previously owned by the late interior designer and philanthropist Mica Ertegun, was described by Christie’s vice chairman of 20th and 21st Century Art, Max Carter, as “arguably the finest, most deftly rendered, and hauntingly beautiful” of the series.
Magritte’s brilliance lies not only in his technical mastery but also in his ability to foster a dialogue between the real and the surreal, an approach that resonated deeply with Ertegun’s refined aesthetic sensibilities. A portion of the proceeds from the sale will support philanthropic initiatives, continuing Ertegun’s legacy of generosity and art patronage.
### The Evolution of “L’empire des lumières”
Magritte’s fascination with the paradoxical “day-and-night” theme led to the creation of over a dozen variations of “L’empire des lumières,” executed over a span of 15 years between 1949 and 1964. These works, rendered in both oil and gouache, were highly sought after during Magritte’s lifetime, with the original version debuting at the Belgian Pavilion during the 1954 Venice Biennale. This iteration went on to become part of the celebrated collection of Peggy Guggenheim, further cementing its iconic status.
For Magritte, the creation of iterative series such as “L’empire des lumières” allowed him to delve deeper into his philosophical inquiries. Each version subtly explores the tension between familiarity and strangeness, capturing the imaginations of art collectors and academics alike.
### Surrealist Milestones: Leonora Carrington and a Record Year
Magritte’s groundbreaking auction record is just one of many milestones for the Surrealist movement this year. On November 18, Eduardo Constantini, founder of the Buenos Aires Museum of Latin American Art (MALBA), acquired Leonora Carrington’s sculptural masterpiece “La Grande Dame” (1951) for $11.3 million during Sotheby’s Modern Evening Sale in New York. The acquisition follows Constantini’s earlier May purchase of Carrington’s “Les Distractions de Dagobert” (1945) for $28.5 million.
Carrington, a British-born Surrealist who lived most of her life in Mexico, was an influential yet long-overlooked figure in the movement. Her rise in the global art market exemplifies the growing recognition of women’s contributions to Surrealism and heralds a broader recalibration of art historical narratives.
### The Enduring Legacy of Surrealism
As the centennial celebrations of Surrealism draw to a close, these auction results underscore the movement’s lasting impact on contemporary art and culture. Artists like Magritte and Carrington exemplify the power of Surrealism to transcend time, connecting audiences to universal themes of mystery, identity, and the nature of reality itself.
Today, Surrealism speaks to a world increasingly shaped by uncertainty, blurring the boundaries between the tangible and virtual, the real and imagined. Magritte’s “L’empire des lumières” invites viewers to embrace the dualities inherent in life, making it a fitting emblem for a movement that continues to challenge and inspire