Four decades of work from master surrealist René Magritte arrives at Art Gallery of NSW

In an interview, curator Nicholas Chambers described renowned surrealist artist René Magritte as “a real prankster, quite a rascal, actually.” This perspective sets the stage for an extraordinary exhibition showcasing over four decades of Magritte’s work at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, which opens on Saturday. It marks the most extensive display of the Belgian artist’s paintings ever to be seen in Australia.

Curated by Chambers, the exhibition features works sourced from museums as far away as New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Sakura in Japan, and the Magritte Foundation in Brussels. The National Gallery of Australia and the National Gallery of Victoria have also lent pieces, including one of Magritte’s most iconic and unsettling works, *The Lovers*.

The exhibition is organized chronologically, allowing visitors to trace the artistic evolution of one of the 20th century’s most influential figures. It begins with Magritte’s initial career as a commercial illustrator in the post-World War I advertising industry, moves through his exploration of cubism and futurism in the 1920s, details his transition to Paris, and culminates in his embrace of surrealism and larger-scale works influenced by the emerging American pop art scene.

Chambers emphasized Magritte’s ability to transform everyday objects—like bowler hats, pipes, clouds, and green apples—into extraordinary elements that challenge our perceptions of reality. He noted one of the artist’s memorable quotes: “To be a surrealist means barring from your mind all remembrance of what you have seen, and being always on the lookout for what has never been.”

Throughout the exhibition, various depictions of Magritte’s wife and muse, Georgette, whom he married in 1922, appear as a thematic thread across six distinct periods in the artist’s career. Chambers remarked, “While Magritte’s work has been showcased in surrealist surveys, the evolution and profound impact of his art on late 20th and even 21st-century culture is not widely recognized.”

Audiences are reminded to appreciate the humor intertwined in Magritte’s work, despite the often dark or haunting undertones. “Magritte was a real prankster, quite a rascal, actually,” Chambers reiterated. He added that the artist’s humor ranged from subtle to overt, always combining serious philosophical themes with a playful spirit.

The exhibition features six pivotal works of Magritte, including:

*Self-Portrait (1923)*: Created soon after his studies at the Royal Academy in Brussels during World War I, this cubist work reflects Magritte’s traditional art education while hinting at his desire for experimentation.

*The Meaning of Night (1927)*: This painting marks Magritte’s bold declaration of allegiance to the surrealist movement, which had emerged just three years earlier.

*The Philosophical Lamp (1936)*: Noted for its subversive humor, this piece serves as a unique self-portrait showcasing the artist’s playful take on serious subjects.

*A Stroke of Luck (1945)*: Painted during what is referred to as his Renoir period, this work features a sardonic pig juxtaposed against a war cenotaph, representing Magritte’s shift towards a lighter perspective on life influenced by the philosophical challenges of the war.

*Golconda (1953)*: This iconic image of bowler-hatted men floating in the sky resonates with many viewers and symbolizes the everyman, a recurring figure in Magritte’s art.

*The Dominion of Light (1954)*: With its ingenious blend of contrasting times of day, this painting evokes an uncanny quality that sparks familiar yet strange feelings, illustrating Magritte’s signature style.

The exhibition runs at the Art Gallery of New South Wales until February 9, 2025, providing a rare opportunity to delve into the humor, depth, and evolution of this master surrealist’s work.