Irony is not necessarily the lens through which one might understand La Trahison des images (This Is Not a Pipe). As Suzi Gablik points out the arbitrary relationship between an object and its name, explaining that this work is Magritte's way of saying that, "an image is not be confused with something tangible" (Magritte 127). The artist does not want us to see his work as the object, just as he does not want us to accept that the word 'pipe' is actually connected to the thing itself. Given this interpretation, this work takes on a more complex aspect than its simple, polished composition might initially imply.
Created after the original oil painting of 1929 also titled This Is Not a Pipe, this original color lithograph is facsimile signed 'Magritte' in graphite color at the lower right; the work bears the blindstamp of the ADAGP in the lower left corner and the blindstamp of the Magritte Succession in the lower right. Numbered 228/275 and created aside from 45 artist's proofs numbered 1-45 and labeled 'EA', this print is also initialed by Charley Herscovici, President of the Fondation Magritte and ADAGP. This limited edition was published by Philippe Moreno, Paris and the print bears a block of printed text on the verso describing this edition.

DOCUMENTED AND ILLUSTRATED IN:
1. Gimferrer, Pere. Magritte. Barcelona: Ediciones Polígrafa, S.A., 1986. Original oil on canvas listed and illustrated as catalogue no. 13.

ABOUT THE FRAMING:
Framed to museum-grade conservation standards, this work is presented in a modern moulding with silk-wrapped mats and optical-grade Plexiglas.