The artwork titled “Rape,” created by René Magritte in 1934, is an oil painting on canvas reflecting the surrealist movement. It measures 73.3 x 54.6 cm and is categorized as an allegorical painting. The artwork is currently housed in the Menil Collection, located in Houston, Texas, United States.
The artwork features a surreal depiction where the facial features of a female figure are disconcertingly represented by nude feminine body parts. The eyes are substituted with breasts, the nose with a navel, and the mouth with a triangular patch of pubic hair. The composition presents an uncanny and unsettling visual, invoking contemplation and critique on themes of identity, objectification, and the human form. The background contrasts with the figure, emphasizing the surreal and thought-provoking essence characteristic of Magritte’s style.
