A mythical work of art is finally about to leave the shadows for the light. After nearly a century in the shadows, René Magritte 's La Magie noire is about to be revealed to the public at Sotheby's Paris. Painted in 1934 and acquired the following year directly from the artist, this emblematic canvas will be at the heart of the annual Surrealism and Its Legacy sale. Presented as the very first - and most accomplished - of the ten variations Magritte devoted to this mysterious motif, it will be the subject of an exceptional exhibition from October 17 to 23, 2025, prior to the auction.
With this painting, the painter introduces a central motif in his work: that of the female body transformed into a celestial landscape, between flesh, stone and sky. In a letter to surrealist leader André Breton, Magritte wrote:"It is an act of black magic to transform the flesh of a woman into sky". Here, this reflection becomes an image, in a painting that marks a symbolic turning point in his artistic career.
Before its arrival at Sotheby's in Paris, the painting embarked on an international tour, first unveiled in London, then exhibited in New York and Hong Kong, in a veritable world tour before the highlight of the show: its presentation to the Parisian public, a stone's throw from Boulevard Haussmann. This key work of the 20th century, kept for 90 years by the Lorge-Spaak family - Magritte' s first historical supporters - fascinates seasoned collectors and modern art history enthusiasts alike.
If you're passionate about surrealism, curious to discover a painting shrouded in mystery and poetic reflection, this exhibition is for you. It's also for lovers of symbolism, for those who like to contemplate a work in silence, to try to unravel the secrets of a gaze or a transfigured silhouette. On the other hand, if you're looking for an interactive, immersive exhibition, or one that focuses on the digital arts, this show is unlikely to meet your expectations.
The exhibition space at Sotheby's Paris is transformed here into a place of aesthetic contemplation, conducive to solo outings, moments of complicity for two, or even intergenerational visits, as long as we share a common sensibility for the pictorial imagination. In the presence of La Magie noire, silence is the natural response to a work whose symbolic charge transcends the visible.
This painting, with its prestige intact, is accompanied by an intimate story and a historical weight that is rare on the art market. As Thomas Bompard, vice-president of Sotheby's France, points out:"By its brilliance, its prestige and its history, this Black Magic exceeds all expectations". This is one of those rare moments when you can get up close and personal with a work destined to disappear back into private collections.
Do you dream of witnessing a suspended moment in the art world, where history, creation and transmission intersect? This painting by Magritte, on show for just a few days before its auction, is a precious experience. For this is no mere exhibition: it's a window onto a masterpiece, before it heads for a new home, perhaps on the other side of the world.
Whether you're a connoisseur, an enlightened amateur or just a curious stroller, take advantage of this unique opportunity to see a rarely shown canvas with your own eyes, alongside other major works of Surrealism. Admission is free, but the moment is rare!
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Dates and Opening Time
From October 17, 2025 to October 23, 2025
Location
Sotheby's
83 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré
75008 Paris 8
Access
Metro 9 or 13 Miromesnil
Prices
Free
Official website
www.sothebys.com
