The Rape

1966

René Magritte

Associated Names
René Magritte

Artist, Belgian, 1898 - 1967

This drawing presents an optical illusion. Filling up most of the drawing are the neck and head of a person with light skin and long, wavy hair. Within the outlines of the face, however, there aren't facial features, but rather the nude body of a woman. Breasts take the place of eyes, and a navel sits where we might expect a nose. Towards the bottom of the face, a groin and upper thighs replace a mouth or chin. Behind the head, the background is made up of several horizontal lines of different widths, similar to rippling water.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    graphite on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Mrs. William C. Seitz

  • Dimensions

    overall: 35.9 x 27 cm (14 1/8 x 10 5/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1982.33.4


Artwork history & notes

Inscriptions

upper right: magritte

Wikidata ID

Q64620332

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