A seminal work by the Belgian Surrealist master René Magritte, titled *La Magie Noire* (Black Magic), achieved a new benchmark for the artist's celebrated series when it was auctioned at Sotheby's in Paris. The painting was sold on October 24, 2025, for a staggering €10.7 million, which translates to approximately $11.8 million USD. This monumental transaction not only cemented the artwork's financial standing but also demonstrated the sustained, robust value placed on Magritte’s profound and often perplexing surrealist vision within the global art market.
Executed in 1934, the canvas presents a captivating and highly recognizable image: a nude female figure appearing to dissolve or merge seamlessly with the surrounding environment of rocks, sky, and clouds. This particular rendition is widely regarded as the most significant single-figure depiction within the entirety of the *La Magie Noire* sequence. The painting masterfully captures the essence of Magritte’s inquiry into the nature of perception, challenging the viewer to reconcile the human form with the natural elements surrounding it.
The ownership history of this piece is exceptional, providing a direct link back to the artist himself. It was acquired directly from Magritte in 1935 by the prominent Spaak family, who maintained it within a single private collection for more than nine decades. Notably, the Spaak family, particularly Suzanne Spaak—who later became known for her efforts in the Resistance—was a crucial early financial supporter of Magritte during a particularly challenging period in the early 1930s when sales of his work were scarce. The painting was originally purchased by the sister of Suzanne Spaak’s wife to commemorate the birth of their first child.
The artwork showcases Magritte’s signature technique, particularly in the rendering of the model, who was the artist’s wife, Georgette Berger. In a striking visual dichotomy, the upper torso of the figure transitions into the celestial blue tones of the sky, resembling a marble statue, while the lower half retains its natural, flesh-toned hues. This symbolic juxtaposition—the merging of the imagined and the tangible—is a quintessential characteristic of Magritte’s style, constantly blurring the lines between appearance and reality.
Tom Bompar, Vice-President of Sotheby's France, lauded the piece, describing *La Magie Noire* as a "true superstar of surrealism," recognizing its powerful combination of intellectual depth and mystical ambiance. The successful sale on October 24 significantly surpassed the previous record established for a work from this specific series. That earlier benchmark was set in 2015 when another painting titled *La Magie Noire* was sold in New York for $6.7 million. Prior to the recent auction, Sotheby's exhibited the record-breaking canvas to the public in Paris from October 17 to October 23. The final hammer price unequivocally confirms that Magritte’s masterpieces continue to command premium valuations on the international art market, reinforcing the enduring global appeal and financial viability of the Surrealist movement as a whole.