Rene Magritte-LE VIOL-(Rape)-Original Litho-Signed by Wife-limited edition.

RENE MAGRITTE
LE VIOL
(RAPE)
lithograph in colors
1979-1980
On Rives BFK
Signed by the artist's wife Georgette Magritte in pencil
Estate facsimile signature
from the numbered edition 300 - 70/300
Sheet 29 x 20 ¼"


Rene Magritte, a Belgian artist, was a Surrealist painter largely eminent for his thought-provoking works that challenge the viewers’ perception of reality.

“My paintings are visible images which conceal nothing; they evoke mystery and indeed, when one sees one of my pictures, one asks oneself this simple question, ‘What does that mean?’ It does not mean anything, because mystery means nothing, it is unknowable.”

One of the most controversial works produced by Magritte, The Rape has had mixed antiphons from the audiences. This painting has been comically appealing, repulsive and also introspective to the viewers. The Rape is an image of a woman’s head, with the facial features replaced with the lineaments of a woman’s torso, The eyes replaced by breasts, the nose by a belly-button, and mouth by a vagina. This is the most interesting aspect of the painting, also the most blatantly obvious.

The most overwhelming interpretation behind this artwork is how the superimposition of a female torso on a woman’s face elucidates the way in which we as a society objectify women. More accurately, the way in which men look at women- only for their bodies. This work reveals the sinister side of the monstrous minds of men and society, while also making commentary on the issue of the oppression of women at the time. Magritte once said, “In this painting, a woman’s face is made up of the essential features of her body.” He has created an “ideal” woman.He has created a woman with no sense organs and no voice, and thus a woman that has no presence. She exists solely as a body meant to satisfy man’s most primal desire.



Condition:
Frame shows signs of wear. artwork is in very good condition. Small scratches on glass.