Born in Lessines, Belgium, in 1898, René Magritte is one of the world’s most renowned artists. After early influences from Futurism, he joined the Brussels Surrealist group in the 1920s. Inspired by Giorgio De Chirico, Magritte developed his signature style: clear depictions of everyday objects whose meaning defies logic, exploring what he called “the unknowable.”

International recognition came in the USA, with exhibitions in New York starting in 1947. A bold Paris show in 1948, known as his “cow period,” challenged the slow recognition of his work in France. A 1965-1966 retrospective at MoMA further cemented his success. Since his death in 1967, major exhibitions and tributes have reinforced his lasting influence, as Magritte’s evocative images continue to inspire.