From June 24th until October 13th, the Art Institute will host an exhibit titled Magritte: The Mystery of the Ordinary. This exhibit showcases the work of artist Rene Magritte featuring over 100 paintings, collages, and drawings. Rene Magritte (1898-1967) was a Belgian artist, whose primary objective was to challenge the viewer's perception of reality. Magritte began his study of painting in 1916 at Academie des Beaux-Art in Brussels. Some of his earliest paintings used a Cubo-Futurist style, such as the painting, The Three Nudes. Magritte's first painting using surrealism style was painted in 1925 and titled The Lost Jockey. He continued to use surrealism style throughout his career by transforming and “misnaming” objects as well as the representation of visions seen in half-waking states. With these techniques, Magritte created an unbalanced view of nature and trickery. Magritte commonly recreated famous paintings by adding a surrealist twist, such as a Manet piece, The Balcony. His work was not truly appreciated until the 1960's around the time of his death. However, his work has continuously influenced pop, minimalist, and conceptual art styles.
The exhibit at the Art Institute takes viewers through Magritte's most experimental years starting in 1926 until 1938. You will be able to see many of his different pieces, such as The Treachery of Images and Time Transfixed. As you view the work of Magritte, challenge yourself to think beyond the nature of reality and into the world of surrealism.
For more information on the exhibit or to view ticket prices:
http://www.artic.edu/
