La durée poignardée (Time Transfixed)

"La durée poignardée (Time Transfixed)" is a painting by Belgian surrealist artist René Magritte, created in 1938. The work features a train emerging from a fireplace, juxtaposing domesticity with industrial imagery. This striking contrast serves to challenge perceptions of reality and time. The painting exemplifies Magritte's exploration of the relationship between objects and their meanings. The train, a symbol of movement and progress, is rendered immobile within the confines of a domestic space. The fireplace, traditionally associated with warmth and comfort, is transformed into a portal for the unexpected. Magritte's use of realistic detail enhances the surreal quality of the scene. The title translates to "Time Stabbed," suggesting a disruption of temporal continuity. This work is part of Magritte's broader oeuvre, which often interrogates the nature of reality and illusion. "La durée poignardée" is housed in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

"La durée poignardée (Time Transfixed)" by René Magritte features a surreal composition that juxtaposes ordinary objects with an unexpected element. The painting depicts a fireplace with a train emerging from it, creating a striking contrast between the domestic setting and the industrial object. The train, rendered in a realistic manner, appears to be in motion, yet it is paradoxically fixed within the confines of the fireplace. The color palette is dominated by muted tones, with the warm browns of the fireplace contrasting against the cool grays of the train. The background is a soft, pale blue, which enhances the dreamlike quality of the scene. The overall composition is balanced, with the train serving as a focal point that draws the viewer's eye. The meticulous attention to detail in the rendering of textures, such as the brickwork of the fireplace and the smooth surface of the train, exemplifies Magritte's technical skill. The painting invites contemplation on the nature of time and reality through its surreal imagery and unexpected associations.