Exploring René Magritte’s Enigmatic Underpainting

A Fascinating Discovery

Researchers at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium (RMFAB) in Brussels have made a captivating discovery—an underpainting within a René Magritte artwork that may depict his beloved wife and muse, Georgette. This intriguing revelation sheds new light on the renowned surrealist artist’s creative process and personal connections.

Delving into the Artist’s Work

The meticulous analysis of Magritte’s oeuvre has been spearheaded by Catherine Defeyt, a senior researcher at the University of Liège and RMFAB, along with Francisca Vandepitte, a senior curator specializing in modern art at the Brussels museum. Their comprehensive study focuses on 50 paintings spanning Magritte’s prolific career from 1921 to 1967.

Verified Insights by Conservationists

The groundbreaking findings have been meticulously verified by experts at the Getty Conservation Institute in Los Angeles. The culmination of this research effort will be presented in an upcoming book titled “René Magritte: The Artist’s Materials,” to be published by the West Coast arts center next month.

Unveiling the Enigma

While Magritte’s work has been subject to extensive scrutiny by researchers and critics over the decades, the recent study promises to unveil new facets of his artistic process and fill gaps in historical understanding. Despite the artist’s enduring popularity, limited documentation exists regarding the intricate techniques he employed.

The Revelation of a Hidden Gem

The newfound underpainting was serendipitously discovered during the analysis of Magritte’s 1943 masterpiece “La Cinquième Saison” (The Fifth Season), which resides in the RMFAB collection. This artwork features two bowler-hatted men holding framed paintings and exemplifies Magritte’s signature style of juxtaposing familiar objects within enigmatic settings.

Resemblance to Georgette

Central to the discovery is the intriguing resemblance of the unidentified figure in the underpainting to Georgette, Magritte’s wife. Georgette, a recurring subject in his work, not only inspired the artist but also played a significant role in managing his artistic legacy. After her passing in 1986, she bequeathed a collection of seven paintings to the RMFAB.

Echoes of Surrealism

An enthralling black-and-white x-ray image captured during the study closely mirrors another portrayal of Georgette in the 1934 painting “Georgette Magritte” from the Brussels museum’s collection. This eerie similarity underscores the intimate connection between the artist and his muse, adding depth to our understanding of Magritte’s creative universe.

Unveiling Artistic Secrets

The utilization of infrared imaging in art analysis has proven to be a powerful tool for uncovering hidden layers within historical paintings. Similar techniques have led to the discovery of concealed under-paintings by other iconic artists like Pablo Picasso in museums across New York and Philadelphia. Both Magritte and Picasso, who thrived in the first half of the twentieth century, faced financial challenges that often led them to reuse canvases multiple times.

The revelation of this enigmatic underpainting not only offers fresh insights into the artistry of René Magritte but also underscores the enduring allure of his work. As researchers continue to delve into the mysteries of the surrealist’s creations, the boundaries between reality and illusion become increasingly blurred, mirroring the essence of Magritte’s artistic philosophy.

Feature Image: Rene Magritte and his wife Georgette, c.1937. Courtesy: BRIDGEMAN VIA GETTY IMAGES

Rene Magritte compelled spectators to reevaluate their own ideas of reality