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A extraordinary canvas from the renowned surrealist painter Magritte which has stayed within a single private collection for more than nine decades is scheduled to go sold later this month.

The Fascinating Story Of this Artwork

La Magie Noire was originally purchased through the relatives of Suzanne Spaak, an World War II underground fighter that served as Magritte's supporter at a period when he was struggling economically and had been unable to move any work for two years.

She was shot at the hands of Nazi forces in Paris due to her efforts to help Jewish children reach safety.

Sale Projections and Anticipations

This auction house has estimated that the artwork may sell for in the range of five million euros to €7m, but experts expect it to reach a much greater price.

“It is the initial instance I’ve managed a major piece by Magritte which has stayed with one household from its creation,” remarked an senior art market executive. “It is remarkable, as is the story behind the owners.”

He also described this work as the superstar in surrealist art,” adding that “If you were to request some students to prepare a report on surrealism, this artwork alone could be enough to explain it.”

Magritte's Formative Struggles with Career Development

The Belgian-born artist first worked as a designer in a wallpaper plant and produced advertising posters until 1926, at which point Magritte produced his debut surrealist piece.

A year later, he had his first exhibition in the Belgian capital, however reviewers were harsh and disheartened the artist moved to France, in which he failed to make his mark.

Magritte went back to Belgium by 1930 and formed an advertising agency alongside his brother Paul.

The artist's life was quite hard at this time. The economic crisis which began in the late 1920s in the US hit France by the early 1930s. Over a two-year span, from 1930 and 1932, he sold nothing and had no shows,” the specialist explained.

“Nobody was buying artworks from surrealist artists. They were viewed as revolutionary troublemakers.”

This Role of his Patrons

Spaak’s spouse, Claude, a celebrated Belgian playwright, knew the artist acting as a patron, commissioning portraits of his wife and children and organizing a monthly stipend for the artist and his family.

By 1934, the sibling Alice, known as Bunny, bought the painting to mark the arrival of her first child alongside Emile, an industrial businessman.

“The Spaak family represented for Belgium like the Mountbattens were to the UK; like royalty and they helped the artist through hard times,” an expert said. The purchase was made to mark the arrival of a baby but it also marked a revival for Magritte as he was trying to get himself back on his feet.”

Painting Details and Meaning

The subject in this series was Magritte’s wife, Georgette, who is depicted in a classical manner resembling a sculpted figure placing her hand on a stone block.

Her torso gradually blends with the sky behind her while her lower body maintains its natural tone.

The artist went on to paint 10 similar portraits, many of them were given distinct titles. Here, the first in the series, Berger is portrayed with a dove on her right shoulder.

A portion of the background displays a partially paneled interior wall.

Her Courageous Underground Activities

Suzanne and Claude Spaak resided in the French capital at the outbreak of war in 1939.

Following the Nazi occupation of the French capital, Suzanne became part of the resistance and was a member of the intelligence network intelligence unit.

Spaak used her wealth to rescue over 160 Jewish youngsters from being deported, hiding a number of them at her home before they could be moved to secure locations.

Final End with Historical Impact

By late 1943, German forces captured Spaak together with hundreds of the network.

On 12 August 1944, just before the liberation of Paris, the Gestapo executed Spaak in her prison cell. She had been 38 years old and has since recognized by the state of Israel among the Righteous for her efforts in saving Jewish people.

Magritte passed away of pancreatic cancer on 15 August 1967 and rests in Brussels.

Display with Sale Schedule

This artwork, which has been displayed at the Magritte museum in Belgium, has seldom been exhibited abroad over nine decades.

The piece will be exhibited in Paris from October 17-23 before its sale on 24 October.