Magritte’s Apple
In this surreal picture book Klaas Verplancke introduces René Magritte as a painter short of subjects. The illustrations show the painter literally lying awake surrounded by walls covered in empty frames. Magritte is not interested in the depiction of reality; it makes him literally fall asleep. What he fails to do during the day manifests itself in his dreams: he projects himself onto the canvas as he shapes his world-famous apple.
Absurdity at its bestKirkus
Then Verplancke demonstrates how our everyday reality is distorted; existing figures and objects are given a new content, and merge into new creations. Margritte’s evolution into a world-renowned painter emerges almost unconsciously. Again we find ourselves in Magritte’s bedroom: this time the painter is surrounded by countless creations of his own. Canvases and frames give access via painted doors and windows to a reality beyond our reality.
‘Magritte’s Apple’ is a successful introduction to the richly nuanced oeuvre of the Belgian artist, which at the same time invites one to explore further. Verplancke shows himself a born surrealist.
Verplancke’s retro modern illustrations are beautifully craftedKid’s Book Review
The essence of surrealism has rarely been summarized this concisely as well as convincingly.Kultur-Tipp
