On November 19, Christie’s New York marked a highlight of the fall auction season with the sale of 19 artworks from the collection of the late interior designer and philanthropist Mica Ertegun. The auction proved highly successful, with all lots sold and a total of $184 million achieved. A single lot, highly anticipated before the sale, accounted for an impressive $121,160,000.
The lot in question, L'Empire des lumières by René Magritte, painted in 1954, was expected to fetch $95 million—an amount that would already have set a new auction record for the Belgian Surrealist. Secured by a guarantee from Christie’s, the stage was effectively set for this target to be met. Bidding began at $75 million and rapidly climbed to the landmark $100 million. Ultimately, one of two remaining phone bidders secured the piece for $105 million ($121.2 million including the buyer’s premium). This sale not only established a new auction record for René Magritte but also set a record for the entire Surrealist movement.
See also: The 12 Most Expensive Paintings Ever Auctioned
Magritte created a total of 17 oil versions of the iconic L'Empire des lumières motif between 1949 and 1964. The artist’s previous auction record was also achieved with a work from this series: a 1961 landscape version of L'Empire des lumières sold at Sotheby’s in London for £59.4 million in March 2022.
See also: This Magritte Masterpiece Sets Two Records
Later that evening, Christie’s achieved yet another record for René Magritte during its 20th Century Evening Sale. A 1956 gouache version of L'Empire des lumières sold for $18,810,000, making it the most expensive work on paper by the artist to date.
We will soon share more highlights from the New York Marquee Auctions.
