Magritte by A.M. Hammacher. 1995. Oversize format. 167 pp., with 138 illustrations, including 48 color plates. This work surveys the enigmatic paintings of Rene Magritte, who used his art to create challenging visual puzzles from the most banal objects.

A series of plates with page-long descriptions makes this book both beautiful and informative. Magritte’s mysterious and thought-provoking paintings are captured in too-real color, and Hammacher’s accompanying comments for each are both witty and insightful. It’s hard to put down! There is also a nice biography of Magritte’s life beginning the edition; one can feel like an expert easily. Finally, the large size and sturdy cover contributes to why the book is one of my favorites for the coffee table.

See “Magritte ” at Modern Now. For inquiries, please contact the gallery at:  info@modernnow.com