Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Rene Magritte

1.     What is surrealism?

  • Juxtaposing unrelated objects, placing them side by side. They seemed both real and unreal. (surreal)

2.     What motif did Magritte use in many of his works? Why was this significant?

  • The man wearing wearing a bowler hat. He used it in 21 paintings and it was a self-portrait.
3.     In his work Golconda, why is it important that Magritte varied the image of the man in the bowler hat?  How does it add depth to the work?

  • He used repetition, painting the man dozens of times, arranging them in layers of varied scale. The smaller men in the background and the larger men in the foreground, making them seem closer the the viewer. Without the variation in scale the painting would be very boring.
4.     Why did surreal artists choose to create strange worlds with their art?

  • They found that juxtaposing ordinary but unrelated objects could be as disorienting and powerful as waking up from a strange dream.
5.     Explain how the techniques of juxtaposition, altered scale, and language help Magritte explore Surrealism.


6.     What would be a few reasons why Magritte would cover the faces of his subjects?

  •  Tragic accident when he was 12: his mother drowned herself, and when she was pulled from the water her nightgown covered her face. (He denied that being the reason)
7.     Why did Magritte strive for realism & precision in his paintings?

  • He believed realism allows viewers to focus on the subject of a work instead of the technique used to paint it.
8.     Google more of Magritte’s work and include 2 images that interest you.
 Explain the technique(s) used to enhance the work












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