The artwork titled “The Magician (Self-portrait with Four Arms)” was created by René Magritte in 1952 in Brussels, Belgium. This piece, rendered in oil on canvas, belongs to the Surrealism art movement and is classified under genre painting. The artwork is currently housed in a private collection.
In this painting, a male figure is depicted at a dining table, engaging in an everyday activity with an extraordinary twist. The man, dressed in formal attire with a suit and tie, appears to be occupied with eating and pouring wine, yet he possesses four arms. Two arms perform typical dining tasks: one cutting food on his plate and the other bringing food to his mouth. Simultaneously, an additional arm pours wine into a glass, while a fourth arm rests on the table, adding an element of fantastical multiplicity. The background is dark and indistinct, drawing focus to the striking and surreal portrayal of the subject. The inclusion of these extra limbs creates a sense of the magical and the uncanny, characteristic of Magritte’s surrealist style. A loaf of bread on the table complements the simple meal and underscores the domestic scene.
