René Magritte La Joconde (Mona Lisa), 1967; Addressing paradoxes such as hiding/revealing, nature/human creations, interiors/ exteriors, this work encourages us to question the purpose and significance that we attribute to different objects and to explore the new significances that occur when we place these objects in different contexts (Catalogue raisonne, vol. III, p. 466, N. 1094). According to David Sylvester and Sarah Whitfield (editors of the complete Magritte catalogue raisonne), Magritte decided to produce sculptures based on his most emblematic paintings in January of 1967. He translated 8 of his works into large scale sculptures in 3 dimensions, but unfortunately did not live to see the finished results. Sylvester and Whitfield suggest that Magritte intended to paint a sky and clouds on the biggest of the curtains as seen in his paintings, but simply did not live to see his vision completed for this particular sculpture. Nonetheless, the iconography that Magritte made so famous is instantly recognizable in this surrealist work, in which three closed curtains stand upright, a large pebble resting at their side. Without a background, the feel of the work can change completely based on its location or the context of its display.

This patinated bronze sculpture was created in 2009 after the original 1967 sculpture designed by René Magritte (Lessines, 1898 - Brussels, 1967) which was, in turn, designed after his own 1960 painting of the same name. This work is numbered from the edition of 250 and stamp signed 'Magritte' on the top of the black base. Published by the Magritte Foundation and cast at Fonderie Paumelle, France, this piece is also stamp signed by the Magritte Foundation and Fonderie Paumelle, France on the side of the base.

1. Certificate of Authenticity signed by Charly Herscovici, President of the Magritte Foundation, included with the purchase of this work.
2. Gablik, Suzi. Magritte. Greewich: New York Graphic Society Ltd., 1972. Original cast from which this work was based illustrated as catalogue no. 161.
3. Gimferrer, Pere. Magritte. Barcelona: Ediciones Poligrafa, S.A., 1986. Original cast from which this work was based illustrated as catalogue no. 144.
4. Meuris, Jacques. Magritte. London: Greenwich Editions, 1988. Original paintings from which this work is derived illustrated and discussed on pages 168-169.
5. Whitfield, Sarah. Magritte. London: The South Bank Center, 1992. Original cast from which this work was based illustrated and discussed as no. 168.