Personal values by Rene Magritte | Most-Famous-Paintings.com

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"Personal values"

Rene Magritte - Oil On Canvas - 80 x 100 cm


famous painting Personal values of Rene Magritte

Introduction

Belgian surrealist René Magritte (1898-1967) is renowned for his thought-provoking and enigmatic paintings, which often challenge our perceptions of reality. Among his most famous works is 'Personal Values' (Les valeurs personnelles, 1952), an oil on canvas painting that invites viewers to question the relationship between objects and their perceived value.

Background and Analysis

Created in 1952, 'Personal Values' is a large-scale painting (80 x 100 cm) that features a simple yet intriguing composition: a room with familiar objects, such as a suitcase, a bowl of fruit, and a pair of shoes, arranged on the floor. However, these everyday items are depicted with human proportions, creating a sense of disorientation and incongruity. Magritte further emphasizes this effect by rendering a skyscape on the interior walls of the room, inverting inside and out. The title 'Personal Values' suggests that the painting explores the concept of value and its subjective nature. By depicting ordinary objects with human proportions, Magritte challenges the viewer to consider whether these items hold inherent value or if their worth is derived from societal perceptions. This theme resonates with surrealism's broader exploration of the irrational and the subconscious mind.

Magritte's Surrealist Approach

Unlike other surrealists who focused on creating fantasy imagery, Magritte evoked the strangeness and ambiguity latent in reality. He once stated, "My painting is visible images which conceal nothing; they evoke mystery and indeed when we see one of my pictures, we immediately encounter the problem of its interpretation" (René Magritte: The Pleasure Principle, Tate Publishing). 'Personal Values' exemplifies this approach, as it encourages viewers to question their perceptions and confront the enigma of the painting's meaning.

Collecting Magritte's Art

For those interested in collecting Magritte's art, WahooArt.com offers a wide range of high-quality reproductions that capture the essence of his original works (The Painting Process, WahooArt.com). These pieces allow novice collectors to build a collection while learning about various artists and styles.

Conclusion

René Magritte's 'Personal Values' is a captivating surrealist masterpiece that invites viewers to question the nature of reality, perception, and value. By incorporating familiar objects in an unfamiliar context, Magritte challenges our understanding of the world around us and encourages us to explore the depths of our subconscious mind.
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…