Time transfixed by Rene Magritte | Most-Famous-Paintings.com

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"Time transfixed"

Rene Magritte - Oil On Canvas - 147 x 99 cm


famous painting Time transfixed of Rene Magritte


Time Transfixed or "La Durée poignardée" in French was painted on a canvas with oil by the René Magritte, a famed Surrealist from Belgium. It is part of the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago and is usually on display in the museum's new Modern Wing.

The painting was one of many done for surrealist patron and Magritte supporter Edward James. This was the second painting delivered to James for his London ballroom. He made this painting for his wife who died from a runaway train in London. She tripped over the tracks, soon being struck by the ongoing train.

The painting depicts a "Black Five" locomotive jutting out of a fireplace, at full steam, in an empty room. Above the mantlepiece is a tall mirror. Only the clock and one candlestick standing on the mantlepiece are reflected in the mirror, suggesting that there are neither people nor furniture in the room.

Magritte described his motivation for this painting:

"I decided to paint the image of a locomotive . . . In order for its mystery to be evoked, another immediately familiar image without mystery—the image of a dining room fireplace—was joined."

This artwork may be protected by copyright. It is posted on the site in accordance with fair use principles
Reproductions or prints are not available for this artwork We use here Copyright term based on authors' deaths according to Copyright Law, (70 years).  Artworks protected by copyright are supposed to be used only for contemplation. Images of that type of artworks are prohibited for copying, printing, or any kind of reproducing and communicating to public since these activities may be considered copyright infringement. More…