The artwork titled “Project of poster ‘The center of textile workers in Belgium (to reduce working hours)'”, created by Rene Magritte in 1938 in Brussels, Belgium, is a notable example of the Surrealism art movement. This poster aims to advocate for the reduction of working hours, specifically targeting textile workers in Belgium. It is currently housed at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels.
The artwork prominently features a large clock with its hands set to sync with a textile shuttle being manipulated by a pair of hands. The background is an evocative red, symbolizing urgency and action. The clock is superimposed over the shuttle, illustrating the correlation between textile work and time. The text “Pour faire diminuer la durée du travail” translates to “To reduce work hours,” reinforcing the central message of labor reform. This composition uses stark contrasts and surreal imagery, characteristic of Magritte’s style, to deliver a powerful socio-political statement.
