The Red Model II is an oil on canvas painting created by Belgian surrealist artist Rene Magritte in 1937. The artwork measures 206 x 158 cm and is known for its allegorical scene. Magritte, known for his surrealistic works, often plays with ambiguity to create uncanny images that evoke mystery and provoke questions about their meaning.
The Red Model II features a woman’s torso standing before an open window with a view of a cloudy sky. Her head is replaced with what appears to be a metal cage containing burning wood logs. The woman’s arms are bound together and she wears red gloves that extend to her elbows. The foreground of the painting shows two giant green apples, one of which conceals the legs of another figure lying on the floor.
Though open to interpretation, some art historians suggest that The Red Model II explores themes of power dynamics between men and women, with the burning cage suggesting restraint while the apples symbolize temptation or Discordianism.
Today, The Red Model II is part of the collections at various museums including the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen in Rotterdam and continues to captivate audiences through its enigmatic imagery.
