Sotheby's London will present a significant collection of Surrealist artworks on September 19, 2025. This event features a Frida Kahlo painting, "El sueño (La cama)," estimated to sell for over $40 million. This price point could establish a new auction record for the artist and for any woman artist.
The auction house announced the consignment of these notable Surrealist pieces. The Kahlo painting carries an estimate ranging from $40 million to $60 million. This figure positions it to surpass previous records.
Key Takeaways
- Sotheby's London will auction a major Surrealist collection on September 19, 2025.
- Frida Kahlo's "El sueño (La cama)" is estimated at $40M-$60M.
- The painting is expected to set new auction records for Kahlo and for women artists.
- The collection includes 80 works from various Surrealist artists.
Frida Kahlo's Potential New Auction Record
The current auction record for a Frida Kahlo artwork stands at $34.9 million. This was set in 2021 at Sotheby’s New York for her 1949 work, "Diego y yo." That sale also marked the highest price ever achieved for a Latin American artwork.
The broader record for a woman artist at auction is $44.4 million. Georgia O’Keeffe’s "Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1" achieved this price at Sotheby’s New York in 2014. "El sueño (La cama)" has the potential to exceed both these figures.
Notable Art Records
- Frida Kahlo's current record: $34.9 million for "Diego y yo" (2021).
- Woman artist record: $44.4 million for Georgia O’Keeffe’s "Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1" (2014).
Details of "El sueño (La cama)"
Kahlo painted "El sueño (La cama)" in 1940. This self-portrait shows the artist lying on a bed that appears to float against a cloudy blue sky. Her body is entwined with curling vines. A skeleton, wrapped in dynamite and holding a bouquet of dried flowers, rests on the canopy bed.
According to Sotheby’s, Kahlo famously kept a papier-mâché skeleton on her canopy bed. This detail adds a personal connection to the artwork's imagery.
Historical Context
The year 1940 was a challenging period for Frida Kahlo. Her former lover, Leon Trotsky, had recently been assassinated. She was also in the process of divorcing Diego Rivera, though they later remarried. This turbulent personal history often influenced her artistic expressions.
A Rare Opportunity for Collectors
Julian Dawes, vice chairman and head of Impressionist and Modern art for Sotheby’s Americas, commented on the painting's significance. He stated that "El sueño (La cama)" is one of the few Kahlo works not held in a museum or within Mexico. This makes its availability at auction a "rare and special" opportunity.
"'El sueño (La cama)' is one of the few Kahlo works not in a museum collection or in Mexico, making it a rare and special opportunity," said Julian Dawes.
Sotheby’s plans to feature this sale prominently in November during its major evening auctions in New York. The Kahlo painting forms the centerpiece of a single-owner sale titled "Exquisite Corpus." This collection comprises 80 paintings, drawings, and sculptures.
The "Exquisite Corpus" Collection
While no other work in the "Exquisite Corpus" collection matches the Kahlo painting's estimated value, the sale features a diverse range of Surrealist art. It includes pieces by well-known artists such as Salvador Dalí and René Magritte. The collection also highlights female Surrealists like Kay Sage and Remedios Varo, whose works have gained increased recognition recently.
Unusually for a single-owner sale, Sotheby’s has chosen not to reveal the identity of the collector. This adds an element of mystery to the upcoming event.
Rising Prices in Surrealist Art
The art market has seen a significant increase in prices for works by women Surrealists, Kahlo, and Magritte in recent years. Before the 2021 sale of "Diego y yo," Kahlo’s auction record was $8 million, established in 2016 at Christie’s New York.
Since the 2022 Venice Biennale, curated by Cecilia Alemani and titled "The Milk of Dreams," numerous records for women Surrealists have been set. This exhibition, named after a book by Leonora Carrington, brought significant attention to these artists.
Even in a fluctuating art market last November, a record for a Magritte painting was broken. "L’empire des lumières" (1954) sold for $121 million at Christie’s New York, demonstrating strong demand for key Surrealist pieces.
- 2016: Kahlo's record was $8 million.
- 2021: Kahlo's record jumped to $34.9 million.
- 2022: Venice Biennale boosted visibility for women Surrealists.
- 2023: Magritte's record reached $121 million.
Exhibition Tour Schedule
Before its auction, "El sueño (La cama)" will be displayed in several international cities. It will first be on view at Sotheby’s London until Tuesday. Following this, the painting will travel to Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, and Paris. This tour allows a global audience to view the significant artwork before the sale.
This extensive tour highlights the painting's importance and Sotheby's efforts to maximize its exposure to potential buyers worldwide. The pre-sale exhibitions often generate considerable interest and discussion within the art community.
Upcoming Exhibitions
- Sotheby’s London (through Tuesday)
- Abu Dhabi
- Hong Kong
- Paris
The collection promises to be a major event in the art world, drawing attention to the enduring appeal and increasing value of Surrealist masterpieces.