This revelatory examination of the Surrealist master updates
prevailing theories about Magritte's life and beliefs, and offers a
surprising new assessment of an artist who strived for anonymity rather
than fame.
Throughout his career, Magritte subverted expectations about artists in
the world by disguising himself as an unremarkable member of the
bourgeoisie. While the public mined his work for symbolism and deep
meaning, the truth is, that with Magritte, what you see is what you get.
What readers will get with this gorgeous volume is a deeply engaging
overview of Magritte's entire career, and an eloquent argument that his
Surrealist masterpieces were simply an extension of the Romantic
tradition. Chronologically arranged, this volume features full- page
reproductions of thirty-five works, each paired with a concise text that
highlights its significance in Magritte's catalog.
In addition to greatest hits, such as Time Transfixed, 1938; The
Treachery of Images, 1929; and The Lovers, 1928, the inclusion of
several lesser-known works provides an overview of the range and
character of Magritte's art. Readers will become acquainted with the
main figures in the artist's life, including relatives, colleagues,
rivals, and they will see how Magritte's relationships with collectors
and dealers led to the production of particular works, as well as how
his theories about painting evolved over the years.
Across this compact but utterly satisfying book, Magritte's exquisite
use of color, his grasp of collage and composition, and his superb gifts
for invention and mood are luminously and thrillingly in evidence.
