Edifying Thoughts
of a Tobacco Smoker
Achilles has been invited to the Crab's home.Achilles: I see you have made a few additions since I was last here, Mr.
Crab. Your new paintings are especially striking.
Crab: Thank you. I am quite fond of certain painters-especially Rene
Magritte. Most of the paintings I have are by him. He's my favorite
artist.
Achilles: They are very intriguing Images, I must say. In some ways, these
paintings by Magritte remind me of works by MY favorite artist, M. C.
Escher.
Crab: I can see that. Both Magritte and Escher use great realism in
exploring the worlds of paradox and illusion; both have a sure sense
for the evocative power of certain visual symbols, and-something
which even their admirers often fail to point out-both of them have a
sense of the graceful line.
Achilles: Nevertheless, there is something quite different about them. I
wonder how one could characterize that difference.
Crab: It would be fascinating to compare the two in detail.
Achilles: I must say, Magritte's command of realism is astonishing. For
instance, I was quite taken in by that painting over there of a tree with
a giant pipe behind it.
FIGURE 77. The Shadows, by Rene Magritte (1966).,--.,:: ,~ ... ..
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