René Magritte's iconic painting 'L'empire des lumières' (1954) is set to hit the auction block at Christie's in New York this November, with an estimated price exceeding $95 million. If sold for this amount, it will break the record for the surrealist artist, previously set at £59.4 million (approximately $79.7 million) in 2022.
This masterpiece is part of a series where Magritte explored the interplay of light and darkness, depicting a sunny sky above a shadowy street scene. The upcoming auction is part of the 'MICA: The Collection of Mica Ertegun,' honoring the late interior designer who passed away at 97 last December.
Notable pieces in this collection include works by Joan Miró and David Hockney, as well as another Magritte painting, 'La cour d'amour' (1960). Max Carter, Vice President of Christie's, praised 'L'empire des lumières' as a quintessential example of surrealism and a testament to Magritte's artistic brilliance.
Significantly, a portion of the proceeds will support charitable initiatives, reflecting Ertegun's lifelong commitment to philanthropy, including funding for humanities scholarships at the University of Oxford. The auction series will commence on November 19 and conclude with an online sale on December 18.