Painting Sells for $121 Million in New York

René Magritte’s iconic surrealist painting L’empire des lumières (The Empire of Light) sold for a record-breaking $121 million at a Christie’s auction in New York on Tuesday. The sale exceeded its pre-auction estimate of $95 million, setting a new benchmark for the artist’s work.

Painted in 1954, this masterpiece is one of the largest in a series of 27 works all titled L’empire des lumières. Known for its scale, exceptional condition, and hauntingly beautiful details, the painting features a house illuminated by a single streetlamp.

The soft, flickering light from the lamp contrasts with the deep shadows of the surrounding trees and reflects in a serene pool of water. Above, a calm blue sky filled with white clouds creates an otherworldly balance between night and day, a surreal motif Magritte explored in his work for nearly two decades.

The painting, once part of the collection of late American interior designer Mica Ertegun, was described by Christie’s as the “crown jewel” of the sale. In addition to this record-breaking work, the auction also featured other notable pieces by artists like Ed Ruscha and Max Ernst.

Magritte’s L’empire des lumières series is particularly significant for its unique ability to juxtapose the calm of day and night, creating a paradoxical and eerie landscape. Scholars, like Sandra Zalman, suggest that the lampposts in these works subtly echo Magritte’s more famous bowler-hat man, adding layers of mystery to this extraordinary scene.

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