A rare masterpiece from René Magritte’s iconic L’empire des lumières series is set to hit the auction block at Christie’s New York this fall. Estimated to sell for over $95 million, the 1954 painting could break the record for the most expensive Magritte ever sold at auction. This anticipated sale comes after one of the artist’s works from the same series fetched an astonishing £51.5 million at Sotheby’s London in 2022, nearly tripling his previous record.
This auction will feature L’empire des lumières as part of a dedicated evening sale of works from the late Mica Ertegun’s estate. Ertegun, a renowned interior designer and art collector, was married to Ahmet Ertegun, the co-founder of Atlantic Records. Her collection includes works by other art giants such as Joan Miró, David Hockney, and Andy Warhol, adding to the already prestigious allure of the sale. Notably, a significant portion of the auction proceeds will benefit several philanthropic initiatives, reflecting Ertegun’s enduring legacy of charitable contributions.
The Magritte Masterpiece
L’empire des lumières is one of 27 paintings in which Magritte explored the surreal interplay of light and shadow, creating a paradoxical scene where a bright, sunlit sky contrasts with a darkened, night-time street. This striking juxtaposition of day and night encapsulates Magritte’s surrealist vision and has made the series one of the most iconic in modern art history. Describing the piece, Max Carter, Christie’s Vice Chairman of 20th and 21st Century Art, noted, “It is arguably the finest, most deftly rendered, and hauntingly beautiful of the series.”
Christie’s has high hopes for the painting, given the recent record-breaking sales of Surrealist works. If the painting exceeds its $95 million estimate, it will not only set a new auction record for Magritte but also solidify Christie’s dominance in the competitive art market, particularly after a challenging year where auction revenues dipped by 22%.
The Collection of Mica Ertegun
Mica Ertegun’s estate is another highlight of the Christie’s auction. Ertegun’s collection reflects her passion for both art and interior design, blending elegance and multicultural influences. Her vast collection, accumulated over more than half a century, includes a broad array of works that span movements from Surrealism to Russian and Ukrainian Modernism. Ertegun’s approach to collecting was deeply personal, and each piece in her collection tells a story of her life as a designer, hostess, and art patron.
The auction will begin on November 19, 2024, with a dedicated sale of Ertegun’s art collection, followed by additional sales of jewelry, design, and decorative arts. The breadth and variety of works featured in the collection reflect Ertegun’s commitment to elegance, style, and cultural diversity.
A Philanthropic Legacy
In addition to its artistic significance, the sale of Mica Ertegun’s collection will support various charitable causes. During her life, Ertegun was a fervent supporter of educational, cultural, and historical preservation initiatives, contributing to causes like the Graduate Scholarship Programme in the Humanities at Oxford University and the World Monuments Fund. A “significant portion” of the proceeds from the auction will continue to fund these philanthropic efforts, ensuring that her legacy of generosity and cultural advocacy endures.
Christie’s Poised for a Comeback
This sale represents an important moment for Christie’s, especially in light of a reported 22% decline in auction revenue in 2024. While challenges persist in the broader auction industry, the sale of L’empire des lumières and Ertegun’s collection is expected to draw significant interest from collectors, potentially offsetting the year’s earlier losses.
Max Carter of Christie’s expressed optimism about the upcoming auction, remarking on the unique blend of artistic mastery and personal significance embodied by the works. The auction will also mark a broader celebration of Magritte’s genius, whose ability to render haunting, dreamlike worlds remains unparalleled in the history of Surrealism.
As Christie’s prepares for the highly anticipated sale of René Magritte’s L’empire des lumières, the art world waits to see if the record-breaking auction will further elevate the status of Surrealist art in the global market. The inclusion of Mica Ertegun’s personal collection, with its blend of classic and contemporary works, adds yet another layer of intrigue to what promises to be a landmark event in the art world.
