Sunday Evening Art Gallery Blog — René Magritte

If the dream is a translation of waking life, waking life is also a translation of the dream. ”

– Rene Magritte

René François Ghislain Magritte (November 21, 1898 – August 15, 1967)  was a Belgian surrealist artist best known for his witty and thought-provoking images and his use of simple graphics and everyday imagery.

We all have seen a few of these images throughout our life, but often we don’t remember where or when.

 Magritte’s work frequently displays a collection of ordinary objects in an unusual context, giving new meanings to familiar things, challenging observers’ preconditioned perceptions of reality.

To Magritte, what is concealed is more important than what is open to view: this was true both of his own fears and of his manner of depicting the mysterious.

A meticulous, skillful technician, he is noted for works that contain an extraordinary juxtaposition of ordinary objects or an unusual context that gives new meaning to familiar things.

Not only were a number of artists intrigued by, and influenced by the work Rene Magritte created, but popular culture, and the art world in general, were extremely influenced by his creative, unique ability to take something ordinary and make viewers see something completely different.

Magritte‘s art has been so popular that it has been copied in posters, ads, and other commercial venues. Perhaps that’s why it feels so familiar.

You can find more of René Magritte‘s art at http://www.renemagritte.org/ http://www.abcgallery.com/M/magritte/magritte.html, or http://www.theartstory.org/artist-magritte-rene.htm.