Island of Treasures 1942

René Magritte painted 'Island of Treasures' with oil on canvas and look at those birds! I think Magritte loved teasing the viewer, it must have been so fun for him. I imagine him starting with that orangey-red promontory, a kind of stage, and then carefully placing these bird-plant hybrids. Are they growing? Are they flying away? Are they even friendly? The colors are so muted and weird, not quite natural, but they still give a sense of space, of horizon. It’s all brushy and washy, with delicate feathering. There is something about the stillness in this painting that reminds me of de Chirico, that feeling of suspension, of holding your breath. What are those two birds doing, touching beaks? Is that a kiss, or a fight? Whatever it is, it’s not quite resolved, and that’s what keeps us looking, trying to figure it out, but never quite getting there. That’s the treasure of the island, maybe.