UPDATE: Frida Kahlo’s iconic painting “El sueño (La cama)” is set to make waves in the art world, with auction estimates reaching between $40 million and $60 million when it goes under the hammer on November 20, 2023, at Sotheby’s in New York. This auction could crown it the most expensive artwork by any female or Latin American artist ever sold.
The buzz surrounding this piece has intensified, with art historians and collectors alike closely monitoring its progress. “This is a moment of a lot of speculation,” stated Mexican art historian Helena Chávez Mac Gregor, a researcher at UNAM. The painting has already drawn attention during exhibitions in London, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, and Paris, showcasing its global appeal.
While Kahlo’s work is protected by a declaration of artistic monument within Mexico, the painting is legally available for sale since it resides in a private collection abroad. The owner of “El sueño (La cama)” remains anonymous, adding to the intrigue. Art curator Cuauhtémoc Medina expressed concerns about the implications of this sale, stating, “The system of declaring Mexican modern artistic heritage is very anomalous.”
Created in 1940, “El sueño (La cama)” emerged after Kahlo’s transformative trip to Paris, where she interacted with the surrealist movement. Contrary to popular belief, the skull depicted on the bed’s canopy is a handmade cardboard figure of Judas, symbolizing purification and the victory of good over evil. This detail reflects Kahlo’s complex relationship with mortality and her struggles with health throughout her life.
Chávez Mac Gregor noted, “Frida always had a critical distance from surrealism,” despite her connections to the movement’s founder, André Breton. The painting encapsulates themes of inner worlds and revolutionary freedom, showcased through its dreamlike imagery.
This auction is not just about monetary value; it’s also about the cultural significance of Kahlo’s work. The last major auction record for a Kahlo painting was set in 2021 when “Diego y yo” sold for $34.9 million. However, the fate of “El sueño (La cama)” raises questions about the accessibility of art, as high-value pieces often vanish into private collections or tax-free zones, potentially never to be seen again.
The current record for a female artist’s sale stands at $44.4 million, achieved by Georgia O’Keeffe in 2014. Yet, no female artist has surpassed the highest sale price of a male artist, which remains at a staggering $450.3 million for Leonardo da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi” in 2017.
As the countdown to the auction begins, art lovers and historians alike are left pondering the implications of such high-stakes sales on the cultural landscape. “El sueño (La cama)” not only represents Kahlo’s artistic legacy but also serves as a focal point for discussions about art’s role in society and its commodification.
Stay tuned for further updates as this historic auction approaches, and prepare for what could be a landmark moment in the art world.
