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Learn MoreMagrittian 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
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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. . .
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)

| 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) |
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