The evolution of Magritte

Delve into the history of artist René Magritte and discover his philosophy, influences and relationships in this four-part lecture series in association with the exhibition Magritte at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

From Magritte’s beginnings in Brussels and his first surrealist paintings to his iconic images of apples, hats and pipes, gain an in-depth understanding of Magritte as a painter. The role of the painter, as he saw it, was to create pictures of ideas – best portrayed by images of things we have already seen but whose secrets we have never imagined.

In the first lecture of the series, Nicholas Chambers will explore the evolution of Magritte’s practice over the course of half a century, from the artist’s first avant-garde experiments in the early 1920s through to the now-iconic works created in his final years. Chambers will consider the ways in which Magritte reflected not only on the relationship between reality and reproduction, but also on the discipline of painting itself.

Series subscription: $130 member | $170 non-member

Per lecture: $35 member | $45 non-member | $20 student