René Magritte (1898-1967)
La veillée
The Silence of the Ordinary.
René Magritte taught us that Surrealism is not about chaos, but about absolute stillness.
Executed in 1961, La veillée is a study in suspended animation. A candle, a nest with eggs, heavy curtains—the objects are mundane, yet the world seems to be holding its breath. Magritte rearranges reality to prove that mystery is not hidden behind the object, but is visible within it.
Why it matters: A sophisticated work on paper from the artist’s mature period. It combines collage, gouache, and crayon to create a texture of quiet unease. Being selected for Christie’s \\Evening Sale\\confirms its status as a collector’s trophy. It is proof that magic is cognizable, if one looks closely enough.
Details:
Collage with gouache, watercolour and Conté crayon on paper.
34.3 x 42.6 cm (13 ½ x 16 ¾ in).
Signed lower left: Magritte.
Market Context:
Auction: Christie’s, London.
Event: 20th/21st Century Evening Sale.
Estimate: £500,000