Rene Magritte Biography

Rene Francois Ghislain Magritte was a surrealist artist who created such works of art that intrigue the observers’ minds and force them to question their own perceptions of reality. The most admirable thing about this artist was that he steered clear of elaborate imagery or intricate designs while using simple graphics and day-to-day objects to create paintings that gave newer meaning to already existing notions. He had the reputation of having the ability to make people think through the witty messages he conveyed through his drawings. He had began drawing as a young boy and realized that he wanted to spend the whole of his life drawing, sketching and painting. A tragic incident that happened in his childhood deeply influenced his painting style—his mother committed suicide by drowning and her body was found with her dress covering her face. This imagery stayed with him and is reflected in many of his paintings where the object’s face is not exposed. He initially followed an impressionist style of painting though he later on became more inclined towards surrealism. Before becoming a successful artist he used to design wallpapers and illustrate advertisements—whatever work he did, he was always a true artist at heart. Today, he is widely recognized for having influenced pop, minimalist and conceptual art.