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René Magritte’s L’empire des lumières recently sold for over $121 million at a Christie’s auction, shattering the record for the Surrealist artist’s work. While such astronomical prices often provoke skepticism—some dismissing art as a playground for financial speculation or even money laundering—Magritte’s creations deserve recognition for their profound ideas, which extend far beyond the market’s frenzy.
Magritte’s most famous works—like the iconic Ceci n’est pas une pipe—question the assumptions we make about reality, language, and meaning. This intellectual playfulness is central to his art’s enduring significance. While the art market may inflate prices to dazzling heights, the true value of Magritte’s work lies in its ability to unsettle, inspire, and transform how we engage with the world.