Magritte

Published in association with a major survey of the work of the pioneering Belgian surrealist artist

René Magritte is renowned for his thought-provoking and enigmatic paintings that challenge perceptions of reality. His exploration of the subconscious and the juxtaposition of ordinary objects in surreal contexts have left an indelible mark on the art world, influencing generations of artists and thinkers. Magritte provides an engaging, accessible, and in-depth survey of the artist’s practice, giving insights into the evolution of his art. It features reproductions of more than one hundred artworks drawn from public and private collections alongside rarely seen archival materials, commercial work, and photography. The images are accompanied by four essays and a transcript of an interview originally recorded for Belgian television in 1965, which together offer nuanced perspectives on the aesthetic foundations of Magritte’s work while also considering the social and artistic context for his practice. An essay by curator Nicholas Chambers leads us through the arc of the exhibition, revealing the artist’s extraordinary capacity for innovation and reinvention. Other essays focus on the artist’s milieux during the formative 1920s, the reception and promotion of his art outside of Europe, and his remarkable use of humor. An extensive, illustrated chronology charts the artist’s life and career.

Nicholas Chambers is senior curator of modern and contemporary international art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney. His exhibitions and associated publications at the Gallery include Hilma af Klint: The Secret Paintings (2021), Adman: Warhol Before Pop (2017), and Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: From the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection (2016).