L'Empire des Lumieres

[Meclazine for Israel]

René Magritte's L'Empire des Lumieres, an iconic 20th century painting has sold at auction for 59.5 million pounds.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-03/rene-magritte-paradoxical-painting-sets-new-record-at-auction/100878208



Incredible investment for a painting that is only 61 years old.

[T'Chenka]

Hmmm... somewhat off-topic but I thought I would share anyways:

There is a movie directed by Sam Mandes starring Olivia Colman coming out at the end of the year that was previously titled "Empire Of Light" and has changed titles to "Lumiere". It's expected to possibly be one of the players at the Oscars. I didn't know about the existence of this painting until today. There's probably some connection? If it isn't explained in the movie trailer or marketing, I'll avoid spoilers and wait to see the movie to find out.

[Nutmeg]

I always thought the fame this painting enjoyed was kind of odd; it's to me the least Magrittesque of the big Magrittes. Feels to me almost more like a moody Hopper evening scene, a depopulated small town at dusk, as he commonly captured.

[Meclazine for Israel]

I didn't realise, but this painting was used as the inspiration for the front cover of The Exorcist.

I always found this painting strangely calming.