A significant masterpiece by renowned surrealist painter René Magritte, which has remained hidden from public view for the past 25 years, is set to be auctioned next month, with an estimated value of £50 million ($64 million). Christie's, the esteemed auction house, announced on Saturday that 'L'ami intime' (The Intimate Friend) will be showcased during the March 7 sale in London, marking a century of the surrealist movement in art.
Executed in 1958, this captivating painting exemplifies several of Magritte's signature motifs, including a bowler-hatted man and billowy white clouds against a vivid blue sky. The artwork portrays the man from behind, gazing out over a hilly landscape, while a baguette and a wine glass float mysteriously in the foreground.
Olivier Camu, Christie's deputy chairman for Impressionist and modern art, described the piece as 'highly poetic' and 'highly dreamy,' emphasizing its significance as one of Magritte's most important works in private collections. 'L'ami intime' was last displayed to the public in Brussels in 1998, making this auction its first appearance since 1980. Market experts anticipate its value to range between £30 million and £50 million ($38 million and $64 million).
The year 2024 marks the centenary of Andre Breton's 'Surrealist Manifesto,' a groundbreaking proclamation that defined a revolutionary artistic movement characterized by unsettling juxtapositions and paradoxical statements. Magritte's renowned painting of a pipe labeled 'This is not a pipe' embodies the essence of this manifesto. His oeuvre challenged the viewers' perception and meaning, paving the way for the exploration of the subconscious, psychology, and psychoanalysis. According to Camu, Magritte and his surrealist colleagues were the pioneers who opened the doors to these radical ideas.
In contrast to other contemporaries such as Salvador Dali, Magritte's work lacks explicit cultural or religious references. Camu noted that Magritte, who passed away in 1967, remained enigmatic and never explained the meaning behind his paintings. Even the titles of his artworks were suggested by his friends. Religious symbolism or historical context was absent from his pieces, which Camu described as conceptual, powerful, disturbing, and yet accessible to all.
The growing demand for Magritte's art is evidenced by the soaring prices witnessed in recent years. In 2022, one of his paintings, 'L'empire des lumières' (The Empire of Light), fetched a remarkable £59.4 million ($79.8 million at the time) at a Sotheby's auction.
The painting of 'L'ami intime' originates from the private collection of the late Gilbert Kaplan, founder of Institutional Investor, and his wife, Lena Kaplan. Before the auction, the artwork will be displayed for public viewing at various Christie's locations, including Los Angeles from Feb 3-6, New York from Feb 9-14, Hong Kong from Feb 21-23, and finally in London from Mar 1-7.
As art enthusiasts and collectors eagerly await the sale of 'L'ami intime,' this profound and captivating work by Magritte promises to captivate, intrigue, and possibly fetch a record-breaking sum at auction.
