“The Listening Room” is an oil on canvas painting created by Rene Magritte in 1952 in Brussels, Belgium. Categorized under the Surrealism art movement, this symbolic painting measures 55 by 45 centimeters and is currently housed in the Menil Collection in Houston, Texas, USA.
The artwork depicts an oversized green apple occupying an entire room, dominating the confined space it is within. The apple’s immense size forces the viewer to reexamine their perception of scale and space. The room is painted in muted tones, with the apple’s vibrant green hue standing in stark contrast. This disparity creates a sense of absurdity and evokes a dream-like quality, characteristic of Magritte’s surreal style. The presence of a large window allowing light to seep in heightens the surreal aspect, juxtaposing the natural illumination with the unnatural scale of the apple. The overall composition compels the viewer to engage with the conventional boundaries of reality and illusion.
