Title of painting: The Evening Gown
Name of artist: René Magritte
Year produced: 1954
Country: Brussels, Belgium
Context: The famous surrealist artist, Rene Magritte, was responsible for the painting of “The Evening Gown”. His surrealist style is seen throughout many of his paintings. “The Evening Gown” was created in Brussels, Belgium during 1954. During this year, Brussels was ending a trade agreement with the U.S.S.R and the military conscriptions were being shortened. Magritte’s inspirations were not political but more personal. His thoughts on his art were “My painting is visible images which conceal nothing; they evoke mystery and, indeed, when one sees one of my paintings, one asks oneself this simple question, ‘What does that mean?’ It doesn't mean anything, because mystery means nothing, it is unknowable.” The painting doesn't have a meaning attached to it unlike other paintings because he likes to leave his work open to interpretation. Everyone could take something different from it or leave the painting to be a mystery.
Artist: René Magritte was a Belgian surrealist artist. He was born on November 21,1898 in Lessines, Belgium to a wealthy father who was abusive to his suicidal mother. When he was only 14 years old, he watched as his mother’s body was pulled out of a river with her head covered by her night gown. That image has been suggested to be the source of many oil paintings Magritte painted in 1927-1928. Although he found the instruction uninspiring, Magritte studied at the Academie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels from 1916-1918. In 1922 he married Georgette Berger, whom he had known since childhood. Between 1920 and 1926 Magritte served in the Belgian infantry, worked as a draughtsman in a wallpaper factory, and was a poster and advertisement designer. In 1926 he signed a contract with Galerie la Centaure which allowed him to paint full time. He then later produced his first surreal oil painting, The Lost Jockey (Le jockey perdu). Throughout his career, Magritte adopted many different styles that he expressed his paintings. He went on to create many more artworks in his lifetime. Some of which were displayed in New York, once at the Museum of Modern Art in 1965, and again at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1992. On August 15, 1967, René Magritte died of pancreatic cancer in his own bed.
Analysis: The women in the painting is a representation of Magritte's deceased mother. The painting is supposed to be almost like the scene he witnessed of his mother's nude body being pulled out of a nearby river. Though this links to his tragic past, the painting gives off a peaceful ambiance. The crescent moon illuminating the clear night sky, the calm river, and the beauty of a woman’s figure. These factors found in this artwork are what give the viewers a sense of serenity.
Theme: The painting "The Evening Gown” ties into peace because it displays clarity and balance. The moon in many native cultures is a symbol of safety and security. René Magritte also uses a variety of blues in this painting, studies have shown that blue is the top most relaxing color, which is a feeling often situated with peace. The naked women could be shown as a symbol of freedom and unity of the women to the world. These characteristics within the painting help the viewer create an impression of peace.
Members of Group:
Name of artist: René Magritte
Year produced: 1954
Country: Brussels, Belgium
Context: The famous surrealist artist, Rene Magritte, was responsible for the painting of “The Evening Gown”. His surrealist style is seen throughout many of his paintings. “The Evening Gown” was created in Brussels, Belgium during 1954. During this year, Brussels was ending a trade agreement with the U.S.S.R and the military conscriptions were being shortened. Magritte’s inspirations were not political but more personal. His thoughts on his art were “My painting is visible images which conceal nothing; they evoke mystery and, indeed, when one sees one of my paintings, one asks oneself this simple question, ‘What does that mean?’ It doesn't mean anything, because mystery means nothing, it is unknowable.” The painting doesn't have a meaning attached to it unlike other paintings because he likes to leave his work open to interpretation. Everyone could take something different from it or leave the painting to be a mystery.
Artist: René Magritte was a Belgian surrealist artist. He was born on November 21,1898 in Lessines, Belgium to a wealthy father who was abusive to his suicidal mother. When he was only 14 years old, he watched as his mother’s body was pulled out of a river with her head covered by her night gown. That image has been suggested to be the source of many oil paintings Magritte painted in 1927-1928. Although he found the instruction uninspiring, Magritte studied at the Academie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels from 1916-1918. In 1922 he married Georgette Berger, whom he had known since childhood. Between 1920 and 1926 Magritte served in the Belgian infantry, worked as a draughtsman in a wallpaper factory, and was a poster and advertisement designer. In 1926 he signed a contract with Galerie la Centaure which allowed him to paint full time. He then later produced his first surreal oil painting, The Lost Jockey (Le jockey perdu). Throughout his career, Magritte adopted many different styles that he expressed his paintings. He went on to create many more artworks in his lifetime. Some of which were displayed in New York, once at the Museum of Modern Art in 1965, and again at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1992. On August 15, 1967, René Magritte died of pancreatic cancer in his own bed.
Analysis: The women in the painting is a representation of Magritte's deceased mother. The painting is supposed to be almost like the scene he witnessed of his mother's nude body being pulled out of a nearby river. Though this links to his tragic past, the painting gives off a peaceful ambiance. The crescent moon illuminating the clear night sky, the calm river, and the beauty of a woman’s figure. These factors found in this artwork are what give the viewers a sense of serenity.
Theme: The painting "The Evening Gown” ties into peace because it displays clarity and balance. The moon in many native cultures is a symbol of safety and security. René Magritte also uses a variety of blues in this painting, studies have shown that blue is the top most relaxing color, which is a feeling often situated with peace. The naked women could be shown as a symbol of freedom and unity of the women to the world. These characteristics within the painting help the viewer create an impression of peace.
Members of Group:
- Ashley V.
- Arielle H.
- Yessenia D.
- Chelsea H.