Le nu couché 1928

René Magritte made 'Le nu couché' with oil paint, and looking at the brushwork, you can see how he's meticulously built up the image, layer by layer. There's a dreamlike quality to the painting. The texture is smooth, almost porcelain-like, concealing the process of its making. The colors are muted and earthy, with the exception of the blues and greens. Notice the hat and lamp; they are everyday objects that are juxtaposed in a strange way, creating a sense of unease. Take the green ribbon that ties together the feet. It is unexpected and doesn't seem to have a logical purpose. That kind of disruptive detail, that’s totally Magritte. Magritte seems to be in conversation with Giorgio de Chirico. Both had this interest in the uncanny, using realism to depict impossible scenes. Ultimately, this work is like a puzzle. It invites us to question the reality we think we know and consider the hidden meanings beneath the surface.