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Magritte

A Life
3.47 goodreads logo

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( 125 ratings, 29 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Magritte by Alex Danchev explores the fascinating life and artistic journey of RenΓ© Magritte, one of the most influential surrealist artists. The book delves into his creative process, the philosophical ideas behind his work, and his impact on modern art, providing a richly detailed portrait of the man behind the iconic imagery.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$5500
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

If you're fascinated by the interplay of imagination and art, you might enjoy this insightful exploration of RenΓ© Magritte's life and work. It delves into the mind of one of the 20th century's most enigmatic painters, blending biography with a deep analysis of his iconic surrealist style.

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The first major biography for our time, from the celebrated biographer of Cezanne

The first major biography for our time, from the celebrated biographer of CΓ©zanne

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
A SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR

'The first significant biography of the artist' - Michael Prodger, The Times'Best art books of 2021'

'Exemplary ... a scintillating read' - Alastair Sooke, Daily Telegraph

'For those who love Magritte and those who do not, Danchev's biography will come as a revelation' -Literary Review

Rene Magritte's surreal sensibility, deadpan melodrama, and fine-tuned outrageousness have all become inescapably part of our times. But these groundbreaking subversions all came from a middle-class Belgian gent, who kept a modest house in a Brussels suburb and whose first one-man show sold absolutely nothing.

Through a deep examination of Magritte's friendships and his artistic development, Alex Danchev explores the path of an highly unconventional artist who posed profound questions about the relationship between image and reality, challenged the very nature of authenticity and whose influence can be seen in the work of everyone from Jasper Johns to Beyonce.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Magritte by Alex Danchev is hailed as a thorough and insightful biography of the renowned surrealist artist. It's praised for being meticulously researched and profoundly felt, offering a comprehensive portrait of Magritte. Critics describe it as both diligent and broad-reaching, with several considering it the definitive biography and recognising its significant contribution to understanding the artist's life and work.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781781250785

Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 January 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Profile Books Ltd

Edition: Main

Illustration: X2 16P Plate SectionB&W Illustrations throughout

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 40.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 232.0mm

Weight: 640g

Pages: 480

About the Author

Alex Danchev, who died as he was finishing this biography, was the author of Georges Braque and Cezanne: A Life, as well as a new translation of The Letters of Paul Cezanne. He was a professor of International Relations at the University of St Andrews, where his archive resides.

Sarah Whitfield is an art historian. She is the coeditor of Rene Magritte: Catalogue Raisonne, and she serves on the Rene Magritte authentication committee.

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