René Magritte (1898 - 1967), From the series: Empire of Light

Lithograph, heavy vellum paper, 30 x 42 cm (composition), 70 x 50 (sheet), numbered in pencil 62/100, signed from the plate under the composition "Magritte", dry publisher's stamp p. d.: "EDIZIONI ARO DARTE ".
Dry stamp l. d.: "S.P.A.D.E.M. Paris" (SPADEM is the French equivalent of the Polish ZAIKS), hologram "verification of authenticity" on the back.
Original certificate.

The series "Empire of Light" (French: "L'Empire des lumières") by René Magritte is a fascinating series of 17 paintings, which, through the contrast of night and light and precise painting technique, create a unique surreal mood and make us reflect on the perception of reality, which the Belgian surrealist created between 1949 and 1964.

Magritte used the traditional technique of oil on canvas, which allowed him to render details with precision and realism. His style is characterized by smooth surfaces and careful application of paint, which gives his paintings purity and clarity. His painting technique is very realistic, which enhances the surreal effect as he depicts unusual scenes in a very real way.

Each painting in the series maintains consistency in the depiction of the main motif, but they differ in certain compositional details and color tones. There are common elements in the paintings of the "Empire of Light" series, unifying the cycle. They are, first of all: Contrast between the light of the house and the night which is the main element that attracts attention and builds a mood of mystery. Tranquility and silence-all the paintings in the series have a calm, almost unreal atmosphere. The empty street, the lack of people and traffic enhance the feeling of silence and contemplation.

The "Empire of Light" series is interpreted in different ways. For some, it is a reflection on the paradoxes of perception and reality, for others it is a poetic vision that combines two opposing worlds - day and night, light and darkness. Magritte often played with conventions and norms, raising questions about the nature of reality and our perception of the world.

Paintings from the "Empire of Light" series are scattered throughout various museum and private collections around the world. Some of them can be found at: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels and Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice.