A work by surrealist artist Remedios Varo – currently the subject of a retrospective at the Museo de las Artes in Guadalajara – has fetched a staggering US$3.3 million at Christie’s in New York.
“Vampiros vegetarianos” (Vegetarian Vampires) was the highest performing work among 260 lots by sought after modern and contemporary artists offered at the auction house’s Spring 2015 Latin American art sale. Christie’s estimate for the work was between US$1.5 and US$2 million.
“Vampiros vegetarianos” was painted at the height of the artist’s career in 1962, and featured prominently in her final exhibition at the groundbreaking Galeria Juan Martin in Mexico City. A trailblazer within the context of modern art, the Spanish born, Mexican artist is best known for her dream-like paintings brimming with myriad sources, ranging from the supernatural to spirituality and science.
“Remedios Varo. La Dimensión del Pensamiento” (The Dimension of Thought) shows at the Museo de las Artes until August 30. Avenida Juarez 975 near the Expiatorio church and plaza. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.