Philip Hensher

The life of René Magritte was even more surprising than his art

While appearing the model of respectability, he seems to have had a sideline forging paintings and even banknotes, according to Alex Danchev

René Magritte. Credit: Alamy 
issue 27 November 2021

We live at a time in which we could (until recently) travel without difficulty and take for granted access to cultural treasures. It’s easy to forget that this wasn’t always the case, and minds were shaped by what possibilities were available. The Belgian painter René Magritte is a good example of huge talent pushed through a very narrow opening.

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