In New York, a captivating nighttime cityscape juxtaposed with a pale blue sky, created by surrealist painter René Magritte, was auctioned for a remarkable $121.2 million. This sale marks a new high for Magritte, taking place during Christie’s auction featuring the collection of Mica Ertegun, a renowned interior designer who passed away at the age of 97 last year.

This sale elevates Magritte to the elite group of artists whose works have fetched over $100 million at auction. He now joins renowned figures like Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, and Andy Warhol as the 16th artist in this distinguished category, as reported by Artprice, a firm specializing in market analysis.

The piece, titled “The Empire of Light,” was created in 1954 and is one of 17 variations depicting the same scene through Magritte’s unique lens. Marc Porter, the chairman of Christie’s Americas, proclaimed the event a “historic moment in our saleroom,” emphasizing the significance of the sale.

The final auction price of $121.2 million includes the fees levied by the auction house. The buyer, who placed a bid via telephone, has chosen to remain anonymous.

New York’s autumn auction events continue with Sotheby’s showcasing contemporary pieces, including the provocative artwork “Comedian” by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, which features a banana affixed to a wall with tape. This continues to highlight the diverse spectrum of contemporary art being celebrated in the auction world.