The human condition 1935

René Magritte painted 'The Human Condition' using oil on canvas, and while the date is unknown, it likely emerged during the politically turbulent mid-20th century. Magritte’s work often delves into the interplay between reality and representation, probing the boundaries of perception and truth. Here, we see a canvas on an easel mirroring the landscape outside a window. This mirroring effect challenges our sense of reality. Are we looking at a landscape, its representation, or both? Magritte once said, "At least it hides from us the partial view of what is behind it, precisely that which the painting hides from us in reality." This painting invites us to reflect on how we perceive and interpret the world around us, underscoring the complexities inherent in seeing and believing, and reminding us of the elusiveness of truth in a world saturated with images.