“The end of contemplation,” a work executed by Rene Magritte in 1927 in Paris, France, stands as a noteworthy example of Surrealism. This symbolic painting, created in oil on canvas, measures 73 x 100 cm and explores the depths of human perception and thought.
The artwork features two mirrored profiles of a bald figure, gazing inward at each other. The faces appear fragmented, with jagged edges cutting into their outlines, evoking a sense of disintegration or interruption of thought. The background is characterized by amorphous white shapes set against a dark and smoky backdrop which enhances the surreal and mysterious quality of the composition. These elements collectively suggest a contemplation that has ceased, reflecting the painting’s title and reinforcing the surreal nature of the piece.
