“The Two Mysteries,” painted by Belgian artist René Magritte in 1966, is an oil on canvas artwork epitomizing the Surrealist movement. Measuring 65 x 80 cm, this symbolic painting resides in a private collection.
The artwork features a depiction of a pipe floating against a muted, plain background. Below the floating pipe, there is an easel holding a painting of another pipe, accompanied by the phrase “Ceci n’est pas une pipe” (This is not a pipe), famously challenging the observer’s perception of reality and representation. The juxtaposition of the real versus painted pipe, both of which insist they are not what they seem, evokes a sense of thought-provoking mystery characteristic of Magritte’s surreal style. The simplicity of the colors and elements within a confined space emphasizes the conceptual depth and philosophical inquiry intended by the artist.
