The Buenos Aires Museum of Latin American Art (MALBA) will soon be able to exhibit a new internationally renowned artwork: ‘La Grande Dame’ by British-Mexican surrealist artist Leonora Carrington.
MALBA founder, real-estate businessman and financier Eduardo Costantini, purchased the sculpture – also known as “Cat Woman” – on Monday at an auction organised by Sotheby's in New York.
The final price? US$11.4 million – making it the artist’s second-most expensive creation.
Her most expensive piece was also acquired by Costantini, who last May paid US$28.5 million for the painting ‘Las Distracciones de Dagoberto,’ which is widely considered to be Carrington's masterpiece.
"We are delighted and incredibly fortunate that a collector with such a keen eye has decided to part with two exceptional pieces this year, giving us the opportunity to acquire these great works," said Costantini in a statement released by Sotheby's.
Until this year, when "a rare opportunity presented itself" to acquire these two works, Carrington – one of the greatest exponents of Latin American surrealism – had been a "notable absence" at the MALBA, said Costantini.
"Together, ‘La Grande Dame’ and ‘Les Distractions de Dagobert’ will be perfect companions to the great works of Remedios Varo, Frida Kahlo and so many other luminaries of the Latin American surrealist movement," added the collector.
Steeped in the artist's rich visual language, which addresses themes of feminine power, mythology and spiritual symbolism, ‘La Grande Dame’ was returned to auction this year for the first time in three decades. In 1994, British patron Edward James acquired the sculpture for US$299,500.
Five bidders participated in Monday’s auction, which lasted around five minutes.
Born from a collaboration with the carpenter José Horna, a friend of the artist, the sculpture – which features a cat's head – is adorned with drawings full of cultural references, ancient folklore and witchcraft.
Settling in Mexico City in 1942, Carrington – the ex-partner of fellow surrealist Max Ernst – lived with a vibrant artistic community of international artists fleeing World War II and modern Mexican artists, such as Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo and Remedios.
– TIMES/AFP
