Magritte

Magritte is published in association with a major survey of the work of the pioneering Belgian surrealist artist at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney.

René Magritte (1948–1967) is renowned for his thought-provoking and enigmatic paintings that challenge the viewer's perception 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.

The exhibition is the first Magritte retrospective to be presented in Australia and includes approximately 100 artworks drawn from public and private collections in the Asia–Pacific, Europe and the United States. The accompanying book provides an engaging, accessible and in-depth survey of Magritte’s practice, giving audiences insights into the evolution of his art from the early 1920s until his final works of the 1960s.

The book features reproductions of the 100+ works in the exhibition alongside rarely seen archival materials, commercial work and photography. The images are accompanied by four essays and an interview with Magritte (originally recorded for Belgian television in 1965), which together offer nuanced perspectives on the aesthetic foundations of his work while also considering the social and artistic context for his practice.

An essay by the curator of Magritte, Nicholas Chambers, leads us through the arc of the exhibition, revealing the artist’s extraordinary capacity for innovation and reinvention. Xavier Canonne, an expert on Belgian surrealism, focuses on the artist’s milieux during the formative period of the 1920s. Natalie Dupêcher, associate curator of modern art at the Menil Collection in Houston, picks up the story in the 1930s and considers the reception and promotion of Magritte’s art outside of Europe. And Belgian art historian Julie Waseige reflects on a key, underlying theme of the artist’s practice: his remarkable use of humour. Additionally, an extensive illustrated chronology compiled by Tai Spruyt charts the artist’s eventful life and career.