ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

René Magritte’s 'L’ami Intime' Expected to Fetch Around $64 Million At Christie’s In London

Christie’s standalone sale of surrealist art will be held in March in London.
PUBLISHED FEB 6, 2024
Cover Image Source: https://www.christies.com/en
Cover Image Source: https://www.christies.com/en

Art enthusiasts and collectors are excited as Christie's auction house prepares to unveil a surrealist masterpiece by the iconic René Magritte. The painting, titled "L'ami intime" (The Intimate Friend), is a gem that has been shrouded from the public eye for over a quarter century. With a pre-sale estimate ranging between $38 million and $64 million, the artwork is poised to make history at the upcoming auction on March 7 in London. 

Rene Magritte and his wife Georgette Berger, circa 1937 | Getty Images | Photo by Apic
Rene Magritte and his wife Georgette Berger, circa 1937 | Getty Images | Photo by Apic

Magritte, a luminary in this avant-garde movement, is renowned for his ability to weave dreams and reality into a tapestry of enigmatic visuals. "L'ami intime" is no exception, encapsulating Magritte's distinctive motifs — the bowler-hatted man, fluffy white clouds against a blue sky — in a composition that exudes poetic and dreamlike qualities.

Completed in 1958, "L'ami intime" shows a unique perspective, portraying the bowler-hatted man from behind as he gazes over a hilly landscape. The artist's surreal touch is evident as a baguette and a wine glass hover mysteriously in the foreground, inviting viewers into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary. The painting's last public exhibition in Brussels in 1998 marked a break that has only heightened the excitement surrounding its reappearance on the auction stage.

Olivier Camu, Christie’s deputy chairman for Impressionist and modern art, attests to the exceptional nature of "L'ami intime," labeling it among the most significant Magritte works held privately. Its first public auction since 1980 adds an extra layer of rarity, ensuring that art connoisseurs and collectors are ready for a chance to own a surreal piece of history

Amid extreme buzz around the auction, comparisons are inevitably drawn to his most iconic work, a painting of a pipe titled "This is not a pipe." Such paradoxical statements and unsettling juxtapositions, central to the surrealist ethos, find resonance in Magritte's masterpieces, challenging conventional perceptions of reality and representation. The surrealist movement, with its revolutionary ideals, laid the foundation for exploring the subconscious, psychology, and psychoanalysis — themes that continue to reverberate in contemporary art.

Magritte's distinct approach to surrealism sets him apart from his contemporaries like Salvador Dali. His paintings, devoid of specific cultural or religious references, lean towards the conceptual, making them universally accessible. Unlike artists who explained their works in detail, Magritte chose silence, allowing viewers to interpret his paintings independently. Even the titles of his artworks were often suggested by friends, adding an element of mystery to the creative process.

Image Source: A general view of the exhibition
A general view of the exhibition "Rene Magritte - The Treachery of Images" | Photo by Hannelore Foerster | Getty Images

Before the much-anticipated auction, art enthusiasts and curious onlookers will have the opportunity to admire "L'ami intime." Christie's has organized a global tour, offering the public a chance to view this marvel in Los Angeles, New York, Hong Kong, and London. The pre-sale exhibition promises an immersive journey into the surrealist universe crafted by Magritte, setting the stage for a bidding war that is expected to transcend the boundaries of traditional art valuation.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
Many who didn't like Seacrest at first seemed to have come around through the season.
14 hours ago
The guest couldn't believe her ears when she heard that her old gift from a friend was worth $10,000.
16 hours ago
The presentation from the founders of "Bear Minimum" managed to move multiple Sharks.
17 hours ago
While the expert on the BBC show did his duty of sharing an appraisal, the guest did not budge.
19 hours ago
Fans couldn't believe how quickly the contestant solved the Bonus Round puzzle.
1 day ago
The entrepreneur was called a clever negotiator by all sharks although most of them dropped out.
1 day ago
The guest was in tears after learning that her family's prized possession was worth over $100,000.
1 day ago
The guest got incredibly lucky to find a Benny Andrews painting while looking at junk.
1 day ago
The guest was shocked to learn that someone would pay $20,000 for Queen Victoria's undergarments.
2 days ago
The guest's family heirloom turned out to be exactly as valuable as he thought.
2 days ago
The guest who assumed it was an ancient Chinese artifact said it felt like 'a stab to the heart'
2 days ago
While all the sharks burned calories, most were unwilling to burn their money.
3 days ago
In an interview with CNET's Patrick Colin, Harrison showed off his vintage tech items.
3 days ago
The item, which didn't seem too useful as a cup, turned out to be a significant piece of history.
3 days ago
The player had everyone on the edge of their seats as time was running out.
4 days ago
The member complained that the store had half-eaten boxes of food on the shelves for customers.
4 days ago
The owner of Michael Jordan's three rookie cards from 1986 to 1987, who got them for $12, was hoping to get $1,000 for the set.
4 days ago
The ring with a rare Kashmir Sapphire turned out to be worth a lot more than the guest anticipated.
4 days ago
The host once again got candid to open up about one of his greatest fears.
4 days ago
The guest's $1,500 investment went up by nearly 10 times in value.
5 days ago