René Magritte: Great Art Explained

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In The Lovers II, by Magritte, he takes the cinematic cliché but disrupts our voyeuristic pleasure by covering the faces in cloth. A moment of connection becomes one of isolation, of sexual frustration. An intimate moment becomes something dark and effortlessly disturbing. Something hidden and anonymous.
Rene Magritte denied that his traumatic childhood was connected in any way with his art, but in this episode, I look at the possibility that his past affected him more than he admitted.
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I would like to thank all my Patreon supporters, in particular Adriana Nemet, Alan Stewart, Alexander Velser, Alyssa Phillips, Anja Zeutschel, Bria Nicole Art, David Asabreu, Christa Sawyer, Eric Mann, Erique K, Griffin Evans, Hugo Moita, Jemma Theivendran, Julio Cardenas, Karim Hopper, Kibibi Shaw, Louise Tait, Monte St Johns, New Curiosity, Paul Ark, Paul Waterman, Pavel Juszczyk, Sean Welgemoed, Stephen Beresford, Tanya Moore, Theresa Garfink, Toni Ko, and Will Dew's-Power.
"What a brilliant series this is" - Stephen Fry on Twitter
SUBTITLES
Spanish Subtitles by Alma Perdomo (gracias)
I input the English subtitles myself but I rely on volunteers to do subtitles for other languages and I really appreciate it - just contact me at [e-mail]
CREDITS
Opening Animation and Title Sequence by Brian Adsit (instagram brian_vfx?... and Behance www.behance.com/badsit88)
Sound Mix by Oscar Sidoff Rydelius (Thank you!)
All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners and I or this channel do not claim any right over them.
MUSIC
royalty free Music by Giorgio Di Campo for @FreeSound Music
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BOOKS, CATALOGUES AND ESSAYS
Magritte: A Life by Alex Danchev
Rene Magritte: The Artist's Materials by Catherine Defeyt, Francisca Vandepitte, et al.
Magritte: The Treachery of Images by Didier Ottinger
René Magritte: The Revealing Image by Xavier Canonne
Ways of Seeing by John Berger
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.

[@GreatArtExplained]

Get an exclusive @Surfshark deal! Enter promo code GREATART for an extra 3 months free at surfshark.deals/greatart

[@justsayyeth]

I watch your videos over and over. ❤ I love them .

[@kevinweger1864]

rené magritte: *paints his childhood trauma* rené magritte: “this is not my childhood trauma”

[@ccdecker]

By far the best art history essayist on KZbin. Straight to the point, no dumb jokes or animations, just decisive information. Wonderful.

[@GreatArtExplained]

Best comment of the day -thank you 🙏

[@chevgr]

Agree

[@dancersendrecords1469]

agree there are too many like inserts, visual memes and jokes out there

[@felixbfranco5268]

Exactly thank you.

[@rachaelmccarl]

Perfectly said. I wish more creators took a page out of his book.

[@MariaVosa]

Slightly stunned to realise how little I knew about Magritte the person and his life, considering how fascinated I've been by his art. Kind of heartening to hear about someone whose life started out with so much trauma to find supportive love and acclaim as an artist before death.

[@GreatArtExplained]

Please like and leave a comment - it really helps promote the film. I appreciate it!

[@trademark310]

You have helped me appreciate art more, so ima like and comment all day!

[@maxfilmchops2766]

Here is your comment, sir. Thanks for the channel.

[@Mozzza14]

You have illuminated the world of art for me and taken me on a magical journey. Thank you!

[@GreatArtExplained]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@antonykyriacou8300]

@@GreatArtExplainedyes it was really really interesting….all your videos are.

[@luzarsacdetoro903]

True!!!!

[@MusicismoreImportant]

🇧🇪

[@ThePwig]

In Houston, we have the second largest Magritte collection (second only to the museum in Brussels) at the Menil Collection. It’s free and they have so much of his art that it gets constantly rotated. It’s worth going frequently.

[@lilpixie25]

His art is so smooth; the mention of "no brush strokes" was enlightening, as I had not paid attention to it's abcesnce in Magritte. Possibly because there is so much more to engage the mind, and that's its beauty. Every time I look at one of his pieces, another thought, another possibility, comes into existence. It is never the same, quite like poetry. You might read a poem one day, in one mood, and read it again another day and it feels like it isn't even the same poem. Very enticing, he must have been a fantastic advertiser!

[@OverCharles]

I’ve lived in Lessines for all my life and that is so weird to hear the name of my small belgian town in one of your videos! Fun fact: the house in which Magritte was born still stands here (near the station), but they misplaced the commemorative plate indicating that event and put it on the neighbour’s house. I guess you could call that a surrealistic mistake Keep up the great work!

[@GreatArtExplained]

That’s a great story thanks 🙏

[@zlatan_2197]

I always found Magritte's style oddly appealing, it's fascinating to learn how much of his work was directly affected by death of his mother. Amazing quality once again, thank you.

[@iamrjdennis]

One of my favorite artists! Thank you for covering him! 🙌🏻

[@GreatArtExplained]

My pleasure!!

[@v.ra.]

Excellent narration, analysis, and production. Thank you for gifting us this splendid form of education

[@GreatArtExplained]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@svitlanahryshok8026]

Thank you for this film! It’s amazing! I saw his paintings in Brussels when I temporarily lived. I’m Ukrainian refugee and live in Belgium since the war started. I have the opportunity to discover this artist for me. Thank for this explanation of his life and art.

[@GreatArtExplained]

Thanks for watching 🇺🇦 🇺🇦

[@kathyjohnson2043]

Thinking of you and all those suffering from the war.

[@svitlanahryshok8026]

@@kathyjohnson2043Thank you!! We all pray for the Ukrainian’s Victory!!!

[@jelejacques]

Magritte was an excellent choice. I could watch this all day long. Great content again. Thanks!

[@GreatArtExplained]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@hauntedmilk8540]

Terrific content, as always! I did not know he had so little fame during his lifetime. It was good to see he got some measure of success at the end.

[@elpennywisefromouterspace]

babe wake up, James just uploaded

[@GreatArtExplained]

Ha!

[@Vovvilina]

Thanks to the gawdawful remake of The Thomas Crown Affair, which heavily features Magritte's art, I had to watch the infamous chess scene from the original film after watching this. 🍏😉 I'm so glad that you pointed out repeatedly that this artist didn't offer any clues to analyze his work. This burden lies with the audience, should they wish to traverse the unconscious feelings stirred by his art. I loved your inclusion of Magritte's word paintings, his dislike of the process, and the intentionally private life he led. Thank you!

[@linkmartens]

I'm a proud Belgian because of Magritte. Thanks for this amazing video❤

[@isisferri614]

If I were a Belgian, I also would be one :) love Magritte!

[@CallieMasters5000]

A Covid Kiss

[@GreatArtExplained]

Yes I thought of that often

[@Sofia-vn1vn]

Yes one of the Vogue covers in April 2020. Totally Magritte

[@SH-fi8sn]

You help me love art even more with each video you create. Thanks so much!

[@GreatArtExplained]

I'm so glad!

[@christian-me1qh]

You seriously do the best art analysis out there. So digestible and professional at the same time.

[@makingthegrade824]

In a modern world of the insipid, the mundane and the chasing of happiness that is always just beyond the horizon…… there is no greater joy than the mesmerising content and depth of thought of Great Art Explained Bravo to its creator, narrator and innovator! 🎉

[@shahabshabani7328]

Your voice is like music to my ears. Thank you for this beautiful introduction ❤❤

[@GreatArtExplained]

So nice of you

[@gameratwork1075]

I’ve seen this one at the MoMA in NYC, and this one always puzzled me. Thanks for solving it!

[@GreatArtExplained]

Any time!

[@the_original_Bilb_Ono]

This channel is *_chefs kisses_** And I just found out about your other channel! *Great Books Explained* Subscribed instantly. Literature and art are my 2nd and 3rd favorite things, music is #1.

[@GreatArtExplained]

Welcome aboard!

[@nekonesto5601]

Thanks for the heads up!

[@josefinavaltier4959]

One of my favourite channels on this platform. Just wonderful. Now on to tell my roommate about the meaning of her tattoo of the Lovers II!

[@daddythomas1389]

Extremely well done! I know Magritte, but not of his life and the roots of his influences. Always a great pleasure to watch your videos, so well explained and analyse. I truly appreciate all your efforts you put into your articulate and intelligent work!! Big thank you!!

[@twntwn11]

I've been waiting for this all week! ❤

[@GreatArtExplained]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@MarkLiversedge]

So good, you never miss- Magritte is hugely relatable as a person. His limitations of language screams Wittgenstein's Tractatus which was published in 1922. Now going to have to go and explore that and see if there is a link !

[@bestwesterner]

I’ve been patiently waiting for this one and am so happy to finally get to watch and listen. Thank you 🙏

[@GreatArtExplained]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@natejohnson6608]

I'm always amazed by how interesting each of you videos are. I'm an art idiot and feel comfortable consuming your videos and being able to digest your wonderful ideas. Thanks

[@GreatArtExplained]

Thanks 🙏

[@franciscolopezsancho]

Such a pleasure to watch these videos. I haven’t find anything not even close to them in KZbin. Thanks Mr Payne!

[@MichaelSavidgeStoryteller]

Honestly, I didn't concern myself with Magritte before watching this video. I appreciated his paintings, but there was nothing too interesting about the man behind them. Now, I need to know more about this artist and his work! I had no idea that he was influenced by Edgar Allan Poe or how he used surrealism in a way I didn't think was possible. Thank you for introducing me to Rene Magritte and his (now) fascinating art!

[@hugostiglitz491]

Love Rene Magritte

[@PlasmicPenny]

I never even realized that “the Lovers” and “Ceci n’est pas une pipe” are from the same artist! Thank you!

[@congressoftherhino3603]

This channel has single-handedly made me understand art on a level I previously thought unattainable to an art layman like myself

[@dorothy2243]

Thank you so much for the video! ❤️

[@GreatArtExplained]

You are so welcome!

[@steitzb]

This is one of my favorite KZbin channels, and I'm always excited when a new video arrives. I especially liked this one, and I plan to explore more of Magritte's art. Thank you!

[@aw2031zap]

These videos feel timeless to me. I don't know how they could be improved or replaced. As long as people continue to use this platform, there will be people watching them for a long time. They are very easy to pick up and are very informative. I imagine you're helping a lot of future artists and art historians by making them aware of the vast field many education systems neglect until university.

[@henninghoefer]

A Magritte exhibition was the first time I genuinely had fun in a Museum as a child. Perfect video again, thank you!

[@quintessenceSL]

I snuck past the security guard at the DAM, touched one of his paintings, and ran away giggling.

[@VodeniMedved]

This is not a comment.

[@thatguyyouclickedon5091]

It’s art, the greatest comment ever conceived

[@oinhoifqsoubg]

Ta gueule au pire

[@capnmunch72]

This is not a reply

[@---l---]

Is the comment for the reader, or the writer?

[@jaimwah]

I ponder that myself. ​@@---l---

[@fatoumatabiaye6356]

Your work is so precious, so necessary and I am so grateful to have discovered this Chanel. Mille mercis ❤

[@benbaker5415]

The Magritte museum in Brussels doesn't even have this much insight into the artist. Fantastic video and thank you truly for your work. I had to leave art behind when I left school but it was always my favorite subject and you are the most insightful connection I still have to it.

[@janetsherwood7210]

Love your channel. Great explanation of each artist. Thank you. 💜

[@GreatArtExplained]

Thank you so much!

[@ediesedgwick4462]

Wow! What great scholarship! Thank you so much for doing this!

[@GreatArtExplained]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@michaelrusso8466]

Great episode. Learning more about the man behind the paintings has me thinking about Magritte's influence on the fashion designer (and fellow Belgian) Martin Margiela, for whom concealment, disguise, and signifier are bedrock themes. Margiela sought new meaning from well-worn sartorial conventions, deconstructing found objects and putting them back together in unexpected and provocative new forms: shoes that resembled hooves, fur coats constructed from wigs. He experimented with extreme distortions of form and proportion, and used tromp l'oeil effects to create the appearance of objects that weren't really there. But perhaps the strongest influence borrowed from Magritte is the mask. During the height of the supermodel era, Margiela's models often wore shrouds and veils that obstructed their faces. It was a statement on the anonymizing effect of dressing for modern life, but also a reflection of the designer's deep and unwavering aversion to fame. He declined all interviews in his tenure as a designer, even at the height of his influence.

[@flakes1184]

Today’s the day this work stops mystifying me. Thank you Mr. Payne.

[@GreatArtExplained]

Such a nice comment thanks 🙏

[@gxv333]

Another terrific video of an artist’s work I’ve always admired even though I appreciated it on a very superficial level. Thanks to you I now appreciated and understand it a bit more profoundly.

[@betsyromero5248]

Another amazing video! I especially love this one since it includes my favorite painting ❤

[@GreatArtExplained]

Thank you so much 😀

[@jdinnen1]

one of my favorites! excellent

[@nullings.]

I enjoyed your video so much! Magritte is my favourite artist! I've been looking forward to this video a long time, and you did not disappoint! Thanks for all your hard work! It's greatly appreciated! :)

[@GreatArtExplained]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jdinnen1]

That was great. Rob Gonsalves is probably my all time favorite artist and he took a lot of inspiration from René. And you can plainly see it in the examples in your video. Excellent work again.

[@GreatArtExplained]

Thanks 🙏

[@rachaelmccarl]

My art teacher in school taught us about artist’s works and lives. It always deepened my appreciation of the work. Truly fascinating. This brilliant series is so well done. Beautiful narration, concise, and informative. What a lovely thing to learn about, thank you to the creator for this effort.

[@caitlin9411]

Loved getting to watch this early on Patreon! Well done as always.

[@GreatArtExplained]

Thanks for supporting me - Much appreciated!

[@Semapho0ore]

Thank you for another amazing video! 🙏

[@GreatArtExplained]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@feildpres]

Yet again a fantastic video! you just made my Friday!

[@GreatArtExplained]

Glad to hear it!

[@trickyanna]

My favorite KZbin channel by far. Can’t express enough all my gratitude ❤

[@TJHistories]

This video is so informative

[@shanekneipp4612]

I'm an artist who has been obsessed with Magritte for many decades. I found your evaluation well researched and presented and your commentary thoughtful and insightful. It's always a pleasure to see good art criticism.

[@jakecreighton9039]

Once again this channel has posted a fascinating and informative video that I will watch several times over. I’d like to express how appreciative I am to have access to such knowledge on great art and artists. I would never have been able to afford art classes or travel to see all of these masterpieces but through this channel I can still take part in these seminal achievements of humanity.

[@villesaarenketo2506]

This is the best art channel on youtube. Thanks for all the vids🙂

[@GreatArtExplained]

Wow, thank you!

[@marthenri]

Heartening to know that painting isn’t about making money but creating. As Magritte did. ❤ Great episode.

[@cherryoncream2958]

Thanks for your hard work! I’m 15 and you’ve sparked a love of art history in me. I’ve watched all your videos and look forward to your new channel’s videos!

[@MarleyandCompany1]

I’m totally hooked on your channel. I didn’t know how much I actually loved art history until I found you. Thank you for your work!

[@marktodd7397]

Beautiful work as ever James, my heart smiles when i have one of your new videos to watch. Thanks for all your efforts and everyone else involved.

[@adamthomaswright6937]

As always, a fantastically well-researched and informative essay. We're forever grateful for your hard work!

[@jamesjoelholmes4541]

This is such a great essay on one of my favorite artists. It gave me profound insight into his mysterious work. Thank you for spending the time to put this together.

[@Notzen238]

So good and so consistent…both Magritte and you! My appreciation of art has been dramatically improved by your channel. Thank you!

[@believeinkindness4854]

The high quality of your films always brings me appreciation for the artists and their art that I would not achieve any other way.

[@ferretface]

Another brilliant episode.

[@bartekbartek7012]

Exquisite presentation! Can't express how much I appreciate your easy to digest yet elegant way of describing art.

[@Flyyonthewall]

I always look forward to these new videos on my feed. Thanks for all your work.

[@arwenbella]

Such a lovely series and wonderfully done. Watching these has made me feel like I've fallen in love with art again. Thank you.

[@Roberto_MR]

Fantastic! One of my favorites, I didn’t expect to see one of your episodes dedicated to him. Great surprise 😮

[@lhev16]

Absolutely one of my favorite channels. It's also increidble how much the artist life comes up in all their paitings, and how much insight it can give even in some of the most known paintings

[@rhythmythicles]

As always, I learn so much from these videos. There is a real beauty in Magritte's simplicity. This video introduced me to several works I had never seen before! Thanks so much!

[@kripposoft]

I've never been much into art but your channel have introduced this whole new world to me! Love it! Keep 'em coming!

[@lifeandnostalgia]

As always a beautiful video and an absolute pleasure to engage with anything you have to offer! ( Also, I particularly love the Casablanca scene transitioning into the painting!)

[@clarkmcmurry9536]

Saying I was excited your next video was on Magritte would‘ve been an understatement! Your art analyses have been a joy to watch and have piqued my interest for art history. Thank you :)

[@deee_carter]

Such an original and fresh explanation of Magritte's work. Very enjoyable. Love your videos!

[@GreatArtExplained]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@coleenferris]

I am so thankful you create these very engaging lectures. I have learned so much from your videos. Great job!!

[@juhidutta8142]

I can watch these videos even if they are an hour long. Thanks for keeping my love for fine arts alive. 🙏🏼 ❤

[@GreatArtExplained]

Glad you like them!

[@maestroh2986]

Your videos are by far the best of this genre. I look forward to every installment.

[@cath101100]

I adore your videos! I listen to them nonstop while working! Thank you for sharing the knowledge

[@CAROLINEGOULET13]

You make me fall in love with art all over again with each video you post. Thank you

[@katharinar4852]

Love your short essays about art! Please never stop doing it❤️

[@southside8551]

Beautifully done. Thank you for another amazing video essay.

[@lilybleue8888]

I am so glad you picked him because I knew nothing about him yet his work clicked right away with me. Your narration is always so enjoyable. Your work helps me to understand and appreciate unfamiliar masterpiece of Art. After watching your channel they become very personal, likable and endearing. Thank you so much.

[@dharmakaurkhalsa3923]

I can't thank you enough, every time, for the care and study you put into each one of your videos, which you then share with us. These videos have opened the eyes and mind to art for me. Thanks always. ❤❤❤

[@snakey8095]

This is by far my favourite video from you, not only because Magritte is one of my favourite artists, but also because I saw so much love and devotion is poured in making this video, the old-timey film B-rolls, the editing and music, as well as your always top-notch storytelling and narrating make a story of a low-profile master becoming so vivid and interesting to dive into. Thank you for this and every video you have made, I really enjoyed it and am sharing with my fellow art-holic friends to watch it!!

[@edward2175]

Looking for your uploads James, but this will do till the next one. Watched again. Super informative and beautiful visuals..

[@andresf1984]

Thank you for teaching us so many things in such a charming way

[@geenstagni1060]

Stellar piece as always James ! I was struck to call the video a piece as it's art itself !

[@nimayravi9162]

One of my favorite things to do when I'm high is come and watch a video from your channel. You've really made me love art, can't wait to see more videos!

[@tomboolery]

Your channel’s one of my favorites on all of KZbin, thank you for the supreme content as always

[@YetAnotherJenn]

I have to admit his work never really spoke to me before this. Fascinating. Thank you so much for sharing. Having lost my mother to suicide as a teen, I can honestly see how that deeply influenced his art in ways he was probably didn't want to discuss. I will come back and watch this at least once more, your videos are delightfully densely packed with excellent information. Thank you again.

[@lj1468]

Your films are stellar! Thanks so much for creating these and making understanding great art accessible!

[@deborahknight9391]

You continue to produce well researched content. Im a huge fan. Please keep exploring artists and great art cities!

[@bendover9935]

As always, Mr. Payne, was a totally pleasure to watch your video. I wish you all the best!