The Interpretation of Dreams (La Interpretation de los Suenos)
Oil painting on canvas • René Magritte
Style & Movement
Surrealism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, smooth academic blending with precise linear outlines and subtle tonal shading
Creation Period
1935
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 73 x 54 cm, vertical portrait format
Subject Description
A still life composition featuring a table setting with a wine bottle, an empty glass, a fork, a knife, and a white plate containing a ham slice with a human eye embedded in the center, set against a two-toned blue and beige background.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good. The painted surface appears stable with intact pigment and proper tension on the stretcher bars.
Estimated Market Value
Multi-million dollar valuation typical of major Surrealist masterworks by René Magritte
Auction Estimate
Significant high-tier international fine art auction estimate range exceeding tens of millions of dollars
Provenance History
Museum collection, likely acquired through major art galleries or private surrealist collections, with standard institutional documentation.
Art Historical Significance
Highly significant within Magritte's oeuvre, representing the classic Surrealist technique of subverting ordinary objects to challenge perception and the nature of representation.
Notable Features
The signature 'Magritte' is visible in the upper left corner, and the uncanny juxtaposition of the human eye on a slice of ham exemplifies classic Surrealist iconography.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust and standard aging consistent with mid-20th-century oil paintings; no major structural losses or tears visible.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled museum environment with stable humidity and temperature, protected from direct UV light exposure.