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Magrittian by Patrick Hughes
Magrittian by Patrick Hughes
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Magrittian by Patrick Hughes
Magrittian by Patrick Hughes
Magrittian by Patrick Hughes
Magrittian by Patrick Hughes
Magrittian by Patrick Hughes
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Magrittian by Patrick Hughes

  • Magrittian by Patrick Hughes takes the form of books on the legendary René Magritte
  • The work is an example of the artist’s "reverspective" technique, appearing to move with the viewer
  • The composition reimagines a collection of books on René Magritte
  • Hughes’ practice is rooted in decades of investigation into perception, paradox and spatial cognition
  • Get complete item description here
$67,500
Item No. 32-2561

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Description
Patrick Hughes
b. 1939 | British

Magrittian

Signed, titled and dated “Magrittian / Patrick Hughes / 2026” (en verso)
Oil on panel

Bringing an art historian’s library to life, Magrittian
Drawing on real publications—including Magritte by Jacques Meuris, Magritte: Attempting the Impossible by Siegfried Gohr, Decoding Magritte by Silvano Levy and more—the composition reimagines a bookshelf as an immersive structure. Through ingeniously constructed and painted three-dimensional forms, Hughes creates a dynamic optical. . .
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Patrick Hughes
b. 1939 | British

Magrittian

Signed, titled and dated “Magrittian / Patrick Hughes / 2026” (en verso)
Oil on panel

Bringing an art historian’s library to life, Magrittian
Drawing on real publications—including Magritte by Jacques Meuris, Magritte: Attempting the Impossible by Siegfried Gohr, Decoding Magritte by Silvano Levy and more—the composition reimagines a bookshelf as an immersive structure. Through ingeniously constructed and painted three-dimensional forms, Hughes creates a dynamic optical illusion in which the books appear to shift and reconfigure as the viewer moves, transforming static texts into a living, unstable homage to Magritte’s world of surrealism and paradox.

Hughes’ practice is rooted in decades of investigation into perception, paradox and spatial cognition. Since his first "reverspective" installation, Sticking-Out Room (1964) at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, he has developed a distinctive visual language that fuses architectural structure with painted illusion. His work draws upon both scientific inquiry and conceptual art traditions, reflecting his academic background, including a doctorate in science from King’s College London in the psychology of perception. His works are held in major institutional collections, including the British Library and the British Academy, affirming his significance as both innovator and theorist of visual illusion.

Dated 2026

Panel: 22 3/8" high x 24 1/2" wide (56.7 x 62.2 cm)
Frame: 25 3/4" high x 27 3/4" wide x 9 1/2" deep (65.4 x 70.5 x 24.1 cm)
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Magrittian by Patrick Hughes
Maker: Hughes, Patrick
Period: 1919-Present
Origin: England
Type: Paintings
Style: Postmodernism
Depth: 9.5 in. (24.13 cm)
Width: 27.75 in. (70.49 cm)
Height: 25.75 in. (65.41 cm)
Canvas Width: 24.500 in. (62.23 cm)
Canvas Height: 22.325 in. (56.71 cm)
Hughes, Patrick
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The Surreal Life and Work of Rene Magritte
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Buy with Confidence

At M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.

Learn More

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