Heritage Auctions to Sell Rare Leonora Carrington Work
The 1953 painting Fil d'Or will hit the block in New York on November 10, 2026, with a valuation up to $350,000.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Fine Art
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Heritage Auctions will feature Leonora Carrington's 1953 painting Fil d'Or in its modern and contemporary art sale on November 10, 2026. Experts estimate the piece will sell for between $250,000 and $350,000.
Why it matters
The sale follows a period of significant market momentum for the artist, whose work saw a record $28.5 million sale in 2024. The consignor decided to release the piece after seventy years in a private California collection due to strong international demand for Carrington's art.
Leonora Carrington's works reached a market peak with a $28.5 million sale in 2024, followed by $8.1 million in public sales in 2025 and $6 million so far in 2026. The piece is estimated to fetch between $250,000 and $350,000.
The players
Leonora Carrington
A celebrated surrealist painter and author who was a key figure in the mid-20th-century art scene.
Heritage Auctions
An international auction house specializing in art, collectibles, and luxury goods.
Galeria de Arte Mexicano
A prominent art gallery based in Mexico City that has played a significant role in promoting Mexican art.
The details
Carrington created the piece in 1953 using a grattage technique, which involves scraping through layers of wet paint to reveal underlying textures. It was originally acquired from the Galeria de Arte Mexicano in Mexico City during the year of its creation.
Timeline
The painting was created and acquired from the Galeria de Arte Mexicano in 1953.
Carrington reached a market peak in 2024 with a $28.5 million sale.
Carrington works generated $8.1 million in public sales throughout 2025.
Total sales for Carrington works reached $6 million during 2026.
The auction is scheduled for November 10, 2026, in New York.
Industry Dynamics
This sale follows the pattern set by the 2024 auction record for Leonora Carrington, marking a period of sustained high interest in her surrealist portfolio. It highlights the shifting market appetite for mid-century works as major auction houses seek to capitalize on rising valuation trends.
The public can view the work during the lead-up to the November 10, 2026, auction event in New York. Prospective collectors will need to engage with Heritage Auctions protocols to participate in the competitive bidding process.
The takeaway
The sustained interest in Carrington's work underscores the lasting appeal of mid-century surrealist paintings in the global market. Potential collectors should track auction house catalogs to monitor the performance of similar works as they emerge from private collections.
Further reading
For more information on the current art market, explore the Fine Art section.
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