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An notable painting from the renowned avant-garde artist Magritte that has remained within one private possession for over 90 years will go to be sold in late October.

The Intriguing Story Of the Painting

La Magie Noire was first acquired through the family of Spaak, an World War II resistance heroine who acted as the artist's patron at an period when he was struggling financially and had been unable to move a single piece for two years.

Spaak was shot by the Gestapo in the French capital for her efforts to help Jewish children reach security.

Auction Estimates and Anticipations

This fine art firm has estimated which La Magie Noire may sell for between five million euros and seven million euros, however many anticipate that it will achieve a higher value.

“It is the initial instance I’ve managed an important piece by Magritte that has remained with one household from its creation,” remarked an high-ranking auction house executive. “It is remarkable, as is the story behind the owners.”

The official further referred to the painting by saying the superstar of surrealism,” noting that “If you were to request a group of students to do a presentation on the surrealist movement, this artwork alone would be enough to explain the movement.”

Magritte's Formative Struggles with Career Development

The Belgian artist initially was employed as an artist in a wallpaper plant also produced commercial ads before 1926, when Magritte produced his first surrealist work.

A year later, he had his first exhibition in the Belgian capital, but the critics were harsh and a dismayed the artist relocated to Paris, where he was unable to make a name for himself.

Magritte went back to Belgium in 1930 and formed an advertising agency with his sibling Paul Magritte.

The artist's life was quite hard during that period. The economic crisis that started in the late 1920s in the US affected France in the early 1930s. Over a two-year span, from 1930 and 1932, he sold no works and had no exhibitions,” the specialist explained.

No one was buying paintings from surrealist artists. They were viewed as revolutionary troublemakers.”

This Role of his Patrons

Spaak’s spouse, Claude, a celebrated Belgian-born writer, was acquainted with the artist and a benefactor, commissioning paintings of Suzanne and children while also organizing a monthly stipend for the artist and his household.

By 1934, the sibling Alice, known as Bunny, acquired the painting to mark the arrival of her first child with Emile, a Belgian businessman.

“The Spaak family represented for Belgium what the Mountbattens were to the UK; almost aristocratic and they helped Magritte out of difficulty,” the art specialist said. The purchase was made to mark the birth of a baby but it was a rebirth for the painter as he was struggling to get himself back on his feet.”

Artistic Features with Meaning

The subject in this series was Magritte’s wife, Georgette, she is portrayed in a classic style resembling a sculpted figure resting her hand on a stone block.

Her upper body gradually blends with the sky behind her while her lower half retains its realistic coloring.

Magritte went on to paint ten comparable works, many of them received different names. Here, the initial of the series, Berger is portrayed with a dove perched on her shoulder.

One-third of the backdrop displays a partially paneled interior wall.

Suzanne Spaak’s Courageous Underground Work

Suzanne and Claude Spaak resided in Paris when war broke out in the late 1930s.

After the Nazi occupation of Paris, she became part of the underground and was a participant in the intelligence network spy ring.

Spaak used her wealth to rescue over 160 Jewish youngsters from being deported, sheltering several of them in her residence until they could be moved to secure locations.

Final Outcome and Legacy

By late 1943, German forces arrested Spaak together with 600 members of the network.

On 12 August 1944, just before the freeing of Paris, the Gestapo killed her in her prison cell. She was 38 and has since recognized by the state of Israel as one of the Righteous Among the Nations for her actions to save Jewish people.

The artist died from cancer on 15 August 1967 and is buried in Brussels.

Display and Auction Schedule

The painting, previously shown at the Magritte museum in Brussels, has been rarely seen abroad over nine decades.

La Magie Noire will be shown at Paris between October 17-23 before its sale on 24 October.