Perspective; Le balcon de Manet 1949

René Magritte's painting, *Perspective: Le balcon de Manet*, presents a startling twist on Impressionism using oil on canvas. The scene is rendered with a smooth, almost glossy surface, typical of Magritte, giving it a kind of hyper-real appearance. What strikes me is the jarring juxtaposition of familiar elements transformed into something deeply unsettling. Instead of people, we see coffins standing on a balcony, rendered in a muted palette of browns and greens. The wood grain is so carefully depicted, and each nail meticulously placed, that these objects possess a strange, undeniable presence. That cool green of the railings is repeated in the window shutters, and its contrast to the warm, wooden coffins is a real eye-opener, making them feel even more present. The meticulous detail forces you to confront the reality of the subject matter, while the surreal arrangement keeps you at a distance. Think of de Chirico, but with less sun. Ultimately, it’s this unsettling combination of familiarity and strangeness that makes Magritte so unforgettable.