The finest gouache by Magritte to appear on the market in recent times, Le Repas de noces has remained in the same private collection for almost 50 years. This work originates from a turbulent period of Magritte’s life, as he fled Brussels for France fearing political persecution following the German invasion. The artist only remained in the hilltop medieval town of Carcassonne for a few months but the upheaval inevitably had an effect on his art - as he produced very little work and what he created shook off the hold of reality in favour of his inner world. Le Repas de noces combines two elements that Magritte explored around this time: a powerful image of a reclining lion, the trademark of a Brussels food retailer that was an ubiquitous part of everyday life, mysteriously coupled with a fragile egg on a table top.

Paul Delvaux
Jeunes filles au bord de l’eau
Painted in 1966
Estimate: £1,700,000-2,200,000 / $2,110,000-2,730,000

Giving a glimpse into Delvaux’s fantastical imagination, Filles au bord de l’eau is an alluring and sophisticated example of his Surrealist creation - bringing together the key elements that defined the artist’s mysterious works. This dream-like scene depicts at once an interior and exterior setting, as architectural elements such as the blue door, mirrors and window frames suggest the conventional structure of a house even as the walls have dramatically opened onto an impressive seascape. The principal protagonist defines the atmosphere of the painting as one of stillness yet expectation, with her expressionless gaze and lingering hand gesture are directed outside of the composition. The nude women that surround her recall the gentle beauty of a Botticelli, adding a sense of timelessness to the scene. Throughout his lifetime, Delvaux refused to provide any sort of narrative for his compositions – stating ‘these figures recount no history: they are’ - leaving the viewer to contemplate the perplexing scene.

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*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.