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Step Into a Surreal Dream: Paul Delvaux’s Masterpieces Headline Christie’s March Auction

Step Into a Surreal Dream: Paul Delvaux’s Masterpieces Headline Christie’s March Auction February 4, 2025Art Auction, London0 Comments

Paul Delvaux’s Surrealist Masterpieces Take Center Stage at Christie’s March 2025 Sale

A Paul Delvaux painting is never just an image – it’s an invitation into a world where time stands still, where moonlit figures move through landscapes both ancient and modern, and where the familiar is subtly transformed into something dreamlike, even unsettling. This March, Christie’s London will unveil three extraordinary works by the Belgian Surrealist master, bringing collectors face-to-face with some of the most evocative and enigmatic pieces of his career.

Set to headline The Art of the Surreal Evening Sale on March 5, 2025, these rare paintings – Les belles de nuit (1936), La ville endormie (1938), and Nuit de Noël (1956) – have been held in a distinguished private collection for over three decades. Now, as they prepare to make their first appearance on the market in more than 30 years, their reemergence is more than just an auction event – it’s a moment of rediscovery for the art world.

Paul Delvaux, Les belles de nuit (1936; estimate: £500,000 – £1,000,000)

Paul Delvaux: The Poet of Surrealism

While many associate Surrealism with the surrealist automatism of Miró or the dream logic of Dalí, Delvaux’s vision was quieter, more introspective, yet equally powerful. His paintings capture the tension between classicism and modernity, serenity and mystery, often featuring figures bathed in ethereal moonlight, standing among classical ruins or within hauntingly deserted cityscapes.

Each of the three paintings in this collection represents a distinct yet interconnected chapter in Delvaux’s artistic evolution:

Les belles de nuit (1936) – An Ode to Mystery and Symbolism

Estimated at £500,000 – £1,000,000, this painting carries exceptional provenance, having once belonged to Edward James, the visionary patron of Surrealism, who supported artists such as Salvador Dalí and René Magritte. Hung in his famed Monkton House, the painting mirrors its surroundings – a surreal interplay of neoclassical architecture, enigmatic figures, and the raw industrial landscapes of Belgium’s “Pays Noir.” It is a work that embodies Delvaux’s deep fascination with the timeless and the uncanny.

La ville endormie (1938; estimate: £1,200,000 – £1,800,000)

La ville endormie (1938) – The Sleeping City Awaits

A highlight of the sale, estimated between £1,200,000 – £1,800,000, La ville endormie is a masterclass in dreamlike atmosphere. The interplay of light and shadow, nude figures bathed in moonlight, and the disorienting mix of architectural styles evoke a world caught between the past and the present, between reality and illusion. The painting even features Delvaux himself, a shadowed observer, subtly inviting the viewer into his hauntingly beautiful nocturnal world.

Nuit de Noël (1956) – The Train to Nowhere

Trains and stations are recurring symbols in Delvaux’s universe, often representing nostalgia, longing, and the passage of time. In Nuit de Noël, estimated at £1,000,000 – £2,000,000, we see a young girl waiting on a platform under the glow of a full moon, surrounded by architecture that is eerily quiet yet profoundly cinematic. Painted while Delvaux was a professor in Brussels, this piece reflects his lifelong fascination with railways, a theme deeply rooted in his childhood dreams.

Nuit de Noël (1956; estimate: £1,000,000 – £2,000,000).

Christie’s: Where Surrealism Reigns Supreme

The Art of the Surreal Evening Sale, held annually as part of Christie’s 20th/21st Century London Marquee Week, has become the definitive auction for Surrealist art. Since its inception in 1989, this sale has consistently delivered record-breaking results, cementing its place as the premier stage for collectors and institutions seeking exceptional Surrealist works.

Olivier Camu, Deputy Chairman of Impressionist and Modern Art at Christie’s London, captures the significance of these pieces:

“These iconic works by Paul Delvaux stand as a testament to his enduring legacy within the Surrealist movement. Each captures a pivotal moment in his career, from his classical influences to his unique poetic vision. Notably, ‘Les belles de nuit’ boasts an important provenance, having once been owned by the legendary Surrealist patron Edward James. We are thrilled to present this collection in our upcoming sale.”

A Final Thought from

Some artists paint to depict reality. Paul Delvaux painted to transcend it. His works exist in a space where the familiar becomes enigmatic, where silence is as powerful as speech, and where the past lingers like a whispered memory.

This collection is not just an opportunity for collectors – it is a rare passage into Delvaux’s singular world. And for those who understand that true artistry lies in mystery, March 5 at Christie’s London will be a night to remember.

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