Christie’s Fall Marquee Week commenced with a series of two successful sales on Tuesday, November 19, 2024: MICA: THE COLLECTION OF MICA ERTEGUN Part I immediately followed by the 20th Century Evening Sale.
L’empire des lumières by Rene Magritte sold for a historic price of $121.2 Million after almost 10 minutes of spirited bidding, setting a new record for the artist as well as for the Surrealist movement. In total, the two sales realized $486 Million, selling 83% by lot, 92% by value, 120% hammer and premium against low estimate. The Collection of Mica Ertegun achieved $184 Million, selling 100% by lot, 100% by value, 132% hammer and premium against low estimate and the 20th Century Evening Sale totaled $302 Million, selling 77% by lot, 88% by value, 114% hammer and premium against low estimate. Christie's set seven records throughout the course of the evening.
Marc Porter, Chairman of Christie’s Americas, remarks, “Over the course of the last week, the excitement and energy building up in our galleries has been palpable in anticipation of tonight’s sales. Showcasing the collection of Mica Ertegun at Christie’s has been an honor and we were delighted to see positive reception from visitors coming to Rockefeller Center from around the world to view and admire her cherished artworks. The results tonight are a testament to her eye. Her collection realized $184 Million in total, and a remarkable $121.2 million for her masterpiece Magritte, a historic moment in our saleroom! Mica Ertegun’s legacy of generosity and giving is a source of inspiration for all of us, and we look forward to seeing continued success in tomorrow’s Day Sale and straight through to December.”
The 20th Century Evening Sale was led by Standard Station, Ten-Cent Western Being Torn in Half by Ed Ruscha, which achieved a price of $68.3 Million, establishing a new record for the artist. Additional notable results came for two Joan Mitchell paintings sold from The Rockefeller University, which together realized $26.5 Million, as well as for Femme qui marche (II) by Giacometti, which sold for $26.6 Million.
Main Image: L’empire des lumières by Rene Magritte, courtesy Christie's
Anna Melnykova, "Palace of Labor (palats praci), architector I. Pretro, 1916", shot with analog Canon camera, 35 mm Fuji film in March 2022.
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