Christie’s Will Auction Three Rare Paul Delvaux Paintings
Three remarkable paintings by the esteemed Belgian artist Paul Delvaux (1897–1994) will be standout highlights in The Art of the Surreal Evening Sale on 5 March 2025, as part of the 20th/21st Century London Marquee Week.
These significant works, emerging on the market for the first time in over three decades, originate from a prestigious private collection and exemplify key moments in Delvaux’s artistic journey, reinforcing his lasting impact on the Surrealist movement.
The three masterpieces—Les belles de nuit (1936, estimate: £500,000 - £1,000,000), La ville endormie (1938, estimate: £1,200,000 - £1,800,000), and Nuit de Noël (1956, estimate: £1,000,000 - £2,000,000)—illustrate Delvaux’s signature fusion of poetic dreamscapes and enigmatic melancholy. His ability to intertwine reality with imagination aligns with Surrealist principles while maintaining a distinct personal vision.
Les belles de nuit (1936, oil on canvas, 39⅜ x 39⅜ in.) holds a distinguished provenance, having belonged to Edward James, a renowned patron of Surrealism known for his support of Salvador Dalí and René Magritte. This painting was displayed in James’s Monkton House, where its neoclassical surroundings mirrored the architectural elements within the artwork.
Set against a dramatic landscape inspired by Belgium’s industrial Pays Noir region appearing for the first time in Delvaux’s work—the painting features two elegantly poised nude figures adorned with elaborate headdresses, showcasing the influence of classical sculpture and the architectural motifs reminiscent of Giorgio de Chirico.
La ville endormie (1938, oil on canvas, 59⅜ x 69⅛ in.) belongs to Delvaux’s renowned series of cityscapes, depicting a dreamlike setting where nude and semi-clothed female figures stand illuminated in soft moonlight against the ruins of an imaginary city blending diverse architectural styles.
The painting’s theatrical use of perspective enhances its haunting atmosphere, while the juxtaposition of decaying structures and towering mountains creates a timeless, almost surreal world. Delvaux incorporates his likeness within a shadowed doorway, subtly inviting the viewer into this enigmatic realm. His admiration for classical architecture, combined with inspiration from Giorgio de Chirico’s metaphysical compositions, results in a work that seamlessly merges history and fantasy.
Nuit de Noël (1956, oil on masonite, 49¾ x 69½ in.) presents a tranquil, dreamlike scene set in an urban train station under the silvery glow of a full moon. Created during Delvaux’s tenure as a professor at the École Nationale Supérieure d’Art et d’Architecture in Brussels, this large-scale composition demonstrates his talent for crafting expansive, atmospheric visions.
The detailed rendering of the moonlit station, with its interplay of natural and artificial light, evokes a cinematic surrealism that blurs the boundary between night and day, an essential element of Delvaux’s artistic approach. His lifelong fascination with trains, rooted in childhood aspirations of becoming a stationmaster, adds a deeply personal dimension to the work.
These exceptional paintings, from a distinguished private collection, encapsulate some of the finest moments in Delvaux’s career and highlight his significance within the Surrealist movement. Notably, Les belles de nuit carries an important historical provenance, having once been in the collection of Surrealist patron Edward James. Together, these works trace Delvaux’s evolving artistic vision and celebrate his enduring legacy.
The Art of the Surreal Evening Sale, a key feature of 20th/21st Century Art London Marquee Week, is the leading international auction dedicated exclusively to Surrealist art and its influences. Since its inception in 1989, this sale has consistently set new benchmarks in the market, solidifying its reputation as a premier event for collectors and enthusiasts of Surrealism.