The painting “Empire of Lights” by René Magritte was sold for $ 121 million at an auction organized by Christie’s in New York, setting a record for a work by this artist.
Ten minutes after the start of the auction at the Rockefeller Center, the painting was sold for 121 million and 160 thousand dollars (including commissions and taxes), the highest price for a work of art from the Surrealist movement, which is also ‘ making the painting one of the most expensive in history at auction.
This painting is part of a series of paintings by Magritte (1898-1967) that has the same name and symbolizes the play of light and shadow that he loved to paint. It represents a different image of a house at night, lit only by a lamp, under a blue sky during the day.
This picture inspired the American director William Friedkin in the famous horror film “The Exorcist” (1973). It was part of the private collection of Mika Ertegun, an interior designer who fled communist Romania to settle in the United States, where she became an influential figure in the art world. She died at the age of 97 at the end of 2023. She was the wife of Ahmet Ertegun, the music mogul who founded Atlantic Records.
The previous record for a work by Rene Magritte was also held by a painting in the “Empire of Lights” series, which was sold at auction in 2022 for $79 million.
During the auction held on Tuesday, a painting by Ed Ruscha was sold for 68 million and 260 thousand dollars, setting a new record for work by the American artist.
### Section 1: Introduction and Overview of the Painting
Nded questions to elicit informed responses from the guests. Provide a summary of each section and a brief biography of the guests.
Section 1: Introduction and Overview of the Painting
Guests: Claire, an art historian, and Sarah, a renowned art collector.
Open-ended questions:
– Claire, as an art historian, can you tell us more about René Magritte and his artistic style? How does ”Empire of Lights” represent his unique approach to painting?
- Sarah, as a collector of fine art, what drew you to this particular piece by Magritte? Can you share your thoughts on the significance of this painting in the context of modern art history?
Section 2: The Auction Process and Bidding War
Guests: Peter, an art auctioneer at Christie’s, and Sean, a private art dealer.
Open-ended questions:
– Peter, can you describe the auction process? How did the bidding war for “Empire of Lights” unfold? Were there any unexpected developments or twists during the bidding process?
– Sean, as a private art dealer, do you think the high price paid for this painting is justified? What factors contribute to the value of a work of art in the secondary market?
Section 3: The Painting’s Influence on Pop Culture
Guests: Alex, a film critic, and Jason, a magazine editor.
Open-ended questions:
– Alex, how has the work of Rene Magritte influenced popular culture? Can you provide some examples of how the painting “Empire of Lights” may have influenced the film industry?
– Jason, as a magazine editor, have you seen any trends in the coverage of this auction or the importance of pop culture references in the art world? If so, what are they?
Section 4: The Future of Art Auctions and Collecting
Guests: Melissa, an art appraiser, and Anna, a contemporary artist.
Open-ended questions:
– Melissa, do you think art auctions will continue to be a dominant force in the art world? How have digital platforms changed the landscape of art collecting?
– Anna, as a contemporary artist, do you think the high prices
