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A remarkable painting by the legendary surrealist artist René Magritte that has stayed within one private possession for over nine decades will go to go sold in late October.

The Captivating Story Of the Painting

La Magie Noire was originally acquired through the relatives of Spaak, an World War II underground heroine that served as the artist's supporter at an period where Magritte was struggling financially and had been unable to move any work for two years.

Spaak was shot at the hands of Nazi forces in the French capital for her actions in helping Jewish children reach security.

Sale Estimates and Expectations

The fine art firm has estimated that the artwork may sell for between five million euros and €7m, but many expect that it will reach a much higher price.

This is the first time I have handled a major piece by Magritte which has stayed with one family from it was painted,” stated a senior auction house official. “It is extraordinary, just like the story behind the owners.”

The official further described the painting by saying the superstar of surrealism,” adding that Were you to request some schoolchildren to prepare a presentation about the surrealist movement, this artwork by itself would be sufficient to explain the movement.”

The Artist's Early Struggles and Professional Development

The Belgian painter initially was employed as a designer in a wallpaper plant and produced commercial ads before 1926, when Magritte created his debut surrealist work.

A year later, he had his debut show in the Belgian capital, but the critics were harsh so disheartened the artist relocated to France, in which he was unable to establish a name for himself.

Magritte went back to his homeland by 1930 where he formed an advertising agency alongside his brother Paul.

The artist's life was very difficult at this time. The Great Depression that started in the late 1920s in America affected France in the early 1930s. For two years, between 1930 and 1932, Magritte sold no works and held no exhibitions,” the expert explained.

No one was buying artworks from surrealist artists. They were considered radical agitators.”

The Influence of the Patrons

Spaak’s husband, Claude, a celebrated Belgian-born playwright, knew Magritte acting as a patron, commissioning paintings of Suzanne and children while also organizing regular financial support for Magritte and his household.

In 1934, Suzanne Spaak’s sibling Alice Lorge, called Bunny, bought the painting to celebrate the birth of her first child with Emile, a Belgian businessman.

This family was to Belgium like the Mountbattens were to the UK; almost aristocratic and they helped the artist through hard times,” an expert said. “It was bought to commemorate the birth of a baby but it also marked a revival for Magritte as he was struggling to recover financially.”

Artistic Features with Symbolism

The model in this series had been Magritte’s wife, Georgette Berger, she is depicted in a classic style resembling a marble statue placing her hand on a stone block.

Her torso gradually blends into the sky in the background while her lower half maintains its realistic coloring.

The artist went on to paint 10 similar works, many of them were given different names. In this work, the initial in the series, Berger is portrayed with a bird on her right shoulder.

A portion of the background shows 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.

Following the Nazi occupation of Paris, Suzanne joined the resistance and was a member in the “Red Orchestra” spy ring.

Spaak employed her considerable fortune to save 163 Jewish children from being deported, sheltering several of them in her residence before they could be moved to safety.

Final Outcome with Historical Impact

By late 1943, the Nazis arrested her together with 600 members of the Red Orchestra.

On August 12, 1944, days before the freeing of the city, the Gestapo killed her in her prison cell. She was 38 years old and has since been honoured by the state of Israel among the Righteous for her efforts to save Jewish people.

Magritte died from cancer in August 1967 and rests in Brussels.

Display and Sale Timeline

This artwork, previously shown at the Magritte museum in Brussels, has seldom been exhibited outside Belgium over nine decades.

La Magie Noire will be exhibited at the French capital between 17 and 23 October before its sale on October 24.