René Magritte's Celebrated Surrealist Painting Set for French Sale
A remarkable canvas by the famed avant-garde painter René Magritte that has remained within one private possession for over nine decades will go to go auctioned in late October.
The Intriguing Story Behind the Painting
The painting was originally purchased through the family of Suzanne Spaak, a Second World War resistance fighter who acted as Magritte's supporter during a period where he faced difficulties economically and been unable to move any piece for two years.
She was shot at the hands of Nazi forces in the French capital due to her actions to help young Jewish individuals reach security.
Sale Projections with Expectations
The fine art firm has estimated which the artwork could sell for in the range of €5m and seven million euros, but experts anticipate that it will reach a greater value.
“It is the first time I’ve managed an important Magritte work which has remained with one family since its creation,” stated a senior art market executive. This is remarkable, as is the history behind the owners.”
He also described the painting by saying “the Taylor Swift of surrealism,” noting how Were you to request some schoolchildren to do a report about surrealism, this painting alone could be sufficient to explain it.”
Magritte's Early Struggles with Professional Development
This Belgian artist first was employed as a designer at a wallpaper factory and produced commercial ads before 1926, at which point Magritte produced his debut surrealist piece.
The following year, he held his debut show in Brussels, but reviewers were harsh and a dismayed Magritte moved to France, in which he failed to make his mark.
He returned to his homeland in 1930 and formed a commercial art business with his brother Paul Magritte.
The artist's life was very difficult during that period. The economic crisis that started in 1929 in America hit France by the early 1930s. For two years, from 1930 to 1932, he sold nothing and held no shows,” the specialist stated.
“Nobody was buying artworks from surrealist artists. These artists were viewed as radical agitators.”
This Influence of his Patrons
The spouse, Claude Spaak, a well-known Belgian playwright, was acquainted with the artist and a patron, ordering portraits of his wife and children while also organizing regular financial support for the artist and his household.
By 1934, the sister Alice Lorge, called Bunny, acquired La Magie Noire to mark the arrival of her first child alongside Emile Happe, a Belgian businessman.
This family represented for Belgium like the Mountbattens were for Britain; almost aristocratic and they helped Magritte out of difficulty,” an expert said. “It was bought to mark the arrival of a child but it also marked a revival for the painter who was trying to recover financially.”
Artistic Details and Meaning
The subject for the series had been his spouse, Georgette, who is portrayed in a classic style resembling a sculpted figure resting her hand on a block of stone.
Her torso gradually blends into the sky behind her while her lower half maintains its natural tone.
The artist later created ten comparable works, many of them were given distinct titles. In this work, the first of the series, Berger appears with a bird perched on her shoulder.
One-third of the backdrop displays a partially paneled wall inside.
Her Courageous Underground Activities
Suzanne and Claude Spaak resided in the French capital when war broke out in the late 1930s.
After the German takeover of the French capital, she became part of the resistance and served as a member of the “Red Orchestra” spy ring.
She employed her wealth to rescue over 160 Jewish youngsters from deportation, hiding several of them in her residence until they could be moved to safety.
Tragic End with Historical Impact
In October 1943, the Nazis arrested Spaak along with hundreds of the network.
On August 12, 1944, just before the freeing of Paris, the Gestapo killed Spaak in her prison cell. She had been 38 and was later been honoured by the state of Israel among the Righteous for her actions in saving Jewish lives.
The artist died of pancreatic cancer in August 1967 and is buried in the Belgian capital.
Display and Sale Schedule
The painting, previously shown at the Magritte museum in Belgium, has seldom been exhibited abroad over nine decades.
La Magie Noire will be shown at the French capital between 17 and 23 October prior to the auction on October 24.
