Magritte Vermeer-dedicated painting is the most significant part of the Sotheby’s auction, named “Surrealism and its Legacy”. Overall, as we can see, Sotheby’s wants to get the best out of Surrealism as a direction in art. Also, to emphasize the heritage of this direction, as well as the artists of that era. René Magritte‘s “The Music Lesson” painting will lead this sale.
Magritte Surrealism Sotheby’s Sale Dedicated to Vermeer
The painting of the Belgian surrealist has the same name as Vermeer’s painting, “The music lesson”. Not only do they have the same name, but Margette’s painting represents a dedication and pays him respect. The auction will occur in March 15, with expectations for the painting to fetch between $2.5 million-$3.8 million.
Magritte’s painting has pink canvas, with different shades of the color. Visually, we can see the pink ear, holding the pink bell. The painting spent the past twenty years in the same private Belgian collection, since it’s last Sotheby’s auction in London. A Sotheby’s statement described the “juxtaposition of human flesh with everyday objects”, as the painting’s main draw.
However, “The music lesson” is not the only Magritte painting that will appear at the auction. That’s where Christie’s comes in. Magritte 1965 painting titled “Les grains de beauté” will appear at this auction house’s sale in Paris next month. The painting is also a part of a one person sale of surrealist piece.
Auction Houses Desparate to Keep Surrealist Momentum
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Sign up to our Free Weekly NewsletterChristie’s expects that “Les grains de beauté” can fetch between $3.2 million-$5.4 million. The painting portrays the fragmentation of a rock-like structure. In addition to this painting, the auction will include eight other works of art. They are all part of Christie’s auction sale named “Wave of Dreams”.
Paris as an art market experienced great growth after the pandemic. A large number of auctions are held in the capital of France in the post-pandemic world. The meeting of the two most famous auction houses in this city is another proof that speaks in favor of its popularity. With this auction Paris could fetch from $12.9 million to $20 million.
In order to maintain the momentum created by Surrealist-focused sales in London earlier this month, Sotheby’s and Christie’s are betting on it. The momentum enerated a collective €72 million ($77 million). Other works by Max Ernst, Man Ray, Joan Miró, Francis Picabia, and Yves Tanguey will be offered in the Paris sales.
