The Lovers - René Magritte

The Lovers, painted by René Magritte in 1928, is an iconic work of surrealism that explores the mystery and ambiguity of human relationships. In the painting, two figures kiss through white cloths covering their faces, creating a sense of isolation and disconnection despite the intimate act. Magritte uses this image to challenge perceptions of reality and love, suggesting that the true nature of people and their emotions is hidden behind veils of appearance.

Surrealism, influenced by the theories of Sigmund Freud about the unconscious and who also speaking about art would say: "The narcissistic personality, which seeks satisfaction in its own mental processes and desires to feel self-sufficient, finds in art the way to realize its fantasy of unlimited power of creation. Art would be an intermediate element between reality and imagination...", sought to represent the inner workings of the mind through dreamlike and absurd images.

The work of our Belgian painter influenced several contemporary and later artists, such as Salvador Dalí and Max Ernst, who also explored themes of identity and perception. This canvas by René reflects the painter's ability to combine the ordinary with the extraordinary.