Magritte

René Magritte's paintings combine precise technique with abnormal configurations to create a direct yet disorienting realm that prompts us to look beyond the visible and question our sense of self and the world.

Format: Hardback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 02 October 2021
Publisher: Taschen GmbH

René Magritte, a renowned Belgian artist who emerged in the early 20th century, left an indelible mark on the art world with his enigmatic and thought-provoking creations. His paintings, characterized by their surrealistic style, blurred the boundaries between reality and imagination, creating a captivating echo chamber of objects and images.

Magritte's artistic approach combined a precise, mimetic technique with extraordinary and unsettling configurations that defied the laws of scale, logic, and science. He presented ordinary objects in extraordinary ways, such as a comb the size of a wardrobe or rocks floating in the sky. These bizarre juxtapositions created a direct yet disorienting realm, often filled with wit and humor, but also leaving a lasting impact on the viewer.

One of Magritte's most famous paintings is "This is not a pipe," which depicts a pipe hovering in mid-air, accompanied by the caption "This is not a pipe." The painting challenges the viewer's perception of reality by presenting an object that is both familiar and deceptive. It prompts us to question our assumptions and to look beyond the visible, to what is hidden by what we see.

Magritte's paintings are not only visually captivating but also thought-provoking. They explore themes of identity, perception, and the nature of reality itself. His use of paradox, humor, and surprise encourages the viewer to engage with the art on a deeper level, challenging their own perceptions and beliefs.

This introductory book delves into the vast repertoire of visual humor, paradox, and surprise that Magritte created throughout his career. It explores his paintings, sculptures, and other artistic endeavors, providing a comprehensive understanding of his artistic vision and its enduring impact on the art world. Through his works, Magritte invites us to look and look again, not only at the painting itself but also at our sense of self and the world around us.

Weight: 624g
Dimension: 257 x 215 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783836503570