At Sotheby’s Modern evening auction, René Magritte’s 1942 painting *Le Jockey perdu*—which the artist considered a turning point in his career—sold for over $12.3 million, exceeding its high estimate. The work was part of a group of ten consignments from the estate of shopping mall magnate Matthew Bucksbaum and his wife Carolyn “Kay” Bucksbaum, influential collectors and philanthropists who met on a blind date in 1952. Alongside works by Salvador Dalí, Jean Dubuffet, Paul Klee, and Joan Miró, the evening sale netted more than $25 million, with remaining pieces appearing in subsequent day sales.
The sale matters because it highlights the enduring strength of the Modern art market and the legacy of the Bucksbaums, whose collection was built with connoisseurship and passion rather than market trends. The Magritte’s record underscores the artist’s rising profile, especially after his *L’empire des lumières* fetched $121.2 million at Christie’s last year. The auction also reflects how carefully curated private collections—assembled over decades—can yield significant returns when they come to market, offering a rare glimpse into the tastes of dedicated collectors who supported major institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago.