Rene Magritte – Artwork & Bio of the Belgian Painter

Rene Magritte was a Belgian painter born on 21 November 1898 in Lessines, Belgium. Magritte’s artistic studies began in 1916 at the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Brussels. On his return to Belgium after his military service, he worked as a draftsman under the supervision of Victor Servranckx and started painting freelance the following year.

The Galerie de Centaure represented Magritte from 1925 to 1930, giving the artist one of his most successful periods. Magritte experienced massive financial success again in the late-1930s due to the interest of international collectors. This period of flourish halted again due to the outbreak of WW2. However,

Throughout his career, Magritte received numerous accolades for his work, including the Legion of Honour award by the French Government in 1967.

Magritte experienced accomplishment in his art during his later years. He died on 15 August 1967 in Brussels.

What was Rene Magritte Known For?

Magritte is known for his thought-provoking and enigmatic surrealist images that feature ordinary objects in unusual contexts. Magritte initially painted using geometrical forms and shapes in the Cubism style. From 1926, when he switched to Surrealism, Magritte painted several colorful themes.

Who was Rene Magritte Influenced By?

Magritte was heavily influenced by the works of the Surrealists, particularly the works of Salvador Dalí and Giorgio de Chirico. He was also influenced by the Dada movement, as well as by the works of the Belgian Symbolist painters. Leger and Metzinger’s works, which were introduced to him by fellow student Victor Servranckx influenced Magritte’s early experimentation with Cubism.

What Art Movement was Rene Magritte Associated With?

Rene Magritte was associated with the Cubism and Surrealism art movements. His surrealist works are characterized by ambiguous organic subjects and themes of emotional states. The breakout of WW2 prompted him to employ a brighter palette.