Belgian artist (1898–1967) best known for his paintings in a surrealist, humor-tinged style, often incorporating such trademark elements as bowler hat–wearing men, windows, eyes, and female torsos. ALS, in French, one page, 8.25 x 10.5, December 1, 1954. Letter to Maureen, editor of La Gauche; and Magritte’s handwritten answers to the six questions sent to him by La Gauche, signed at the conclusion by Magritte. Letter reads (translated): “You will find herewith the texts that you have asked me for. I do not have a typewriter at my disposal, maybe you could type these texts, if you judge that the writing could be poorly read by the printer? Thank you in advance and please send me a copy of ‘La Gauche’ when my answer will come out.” Magritte then responds to all six questions sent to her. In part: “Question 1—What role and what place do you attribute to Art? a) on plastic point of view b) in society. Answer 1—a) My art painting conception consists first in a concern to be able to paint paintings having apparitions of characters, in which we nevertheless recognize people, objects, trees, stones, skies, etc. These paintings, according to me, must reveal to us present mysteries and make us participate therefore in the spirit’s life. b) Worthwhile art works are necessary, they answer to an inner obligation. But they are not indispensable to society. As soon as art becomes ‘social’, it obeys to outside circumstances—complex if we want—which direct the artist by robbing him of the attentive liberty to his artistic possibilities.
Question 2- What do you think of ‘figurative art’ and ‘abstract art’? Answer 2—Art work that calls on any specialty has inevitably only an example value, superfluous given similar example amounts already existing.”
In fine condition, with central horizontal and vertical folds to each page, some mild edge toning, and a couple small repaired edge tears to second page of answers. The complete questionairre can be viewed online at RRAuction.com RR Auction COA.
