“Collective Invention,” crafted by René Magritte in 1934 in Brussels, Belgium, is an oil on canvas painting measuring 73.5 x 97.5 cm. This surrealist and symbolic artwork belongs to a private collection.
The artwork presents a surreal and thought-provoking scene set against a tranquil seascape. At its center, a striking figure, combining human and fish elements, lies on the sandy shore. This fantastical creature has the body of a human woman from the waist down, merging incongruously into the form of a fish from the waist up. The calm blue sea, gently rolling waves, and sandy beach create a peaceful, yet uncanny, backdrop, amplifying the surreal nature of the subject. Magritte’s precise, realistic painting style heightens the surrealism and symbolic depth, inviting viewers to contemplate the blending of natural forms in unexpected ways.
