Sotheby's Reveals Headline Lots for Pauline Karpidas Collection, Including $12 M. Magritte Painting

Sotheby's reveals headline lots from British arts patron Pauline Karpidas's collection, featuring what the auction house calls the "greatest collection of Surrealism to emerge in recent history."

The three-day London auction in September showcases Karpidas's extraordinary 50-year collecting journey, beginning with her inspiration from Greek American gallerist Alexander Iolas. The 250-item collection spans Surrealist masterpieces, contemporary works, and unique design pieces from her London home, with estimates totaling £60 million—the highest ever for a single European collection at Sotheby's.

• René Magritte's La Statue volante (1940-41) headlines the sale with a £9-12 million estimate, representing one of the artist's greatest works to reach market
• Andy Warhol's Munch-inspired pieces including The Scream (After Munch) demonstrate Surrealism's influence on contemporary Pop art
• The collection includes 11 Magritte works total, plus pieces by Picasso, Dalí, Leonora Carrington, and custom furniture by Claude Lalanne
• Karpidas built personal friendships with many collected artists, creating a collection with exceptional provenance and artistic significance