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Magritte's 1938 Lecture Inspires New Exhibition at KMSKA Antwerp

exhibition · 2026-04-26

The "René Magritte. La ligne de vie" exhibition has been launched at the KMSKA-Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten in Antwerp, showcasing the artist's creative journey through a lecture he delivered in 1938. Curated by Xavier Canonne, the display includes over 100 pieces, such as paintings, rare sculptures, and works on paper, categorized by themes like "door," "woman," and "window," which were addressed in Magritte's lecture. Highlights of the exhibition feature "Femme ayant une rose à la place du coeur" (1924), "Les grands voyages" (1926), and "La clef des champs" (1936), borrowed from Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza. The exhibition, which also emphasizes Magritte's collages and 1946 erotic illustrations, will be open until February 22 at KMSKA, Leopold de Waelplaats 1, Antwerp, Belgium.

Key facts

  • Exhibition at KMSKA Antwerp focuses on Magritte's 1938 lecture at the same museum
  • Curated by Xavier Canonne, specialist in Belgian Surrealism
  • Over 100 works including paintings, works on paper, and rare sculptures
  • Thematic sections based on Magritte's talk: 'woman', 'door', 'window'
  • Includes works referenced in the 1938 lecture: 'Femme ayant une rose à la place du coeur' (1924), 'Les grands voyages' (1926), 'La clef des champs' (1936)
  • 'La clef des champs' on loan from Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid
  • Features Magritte's collages inspired by Max Ernst and his Parisian period (over 400 works in three years)
  • Rare erotic illustrations from 1946 exhibited
  • Works by Antwerp followers: Marcel Mariën, Gilbert Senecaut, Roger Van de Wouwer, Leo Dohmen
  • AI technology reproduces Magritte's voice in the exhibition
  • Magritte's 1938 lecture condemned Nazism and fascism, opened with 'Ladies and Gentlemen, Comrades'
  • Exhibition runs until February 22 at KMSKA, Antwerp, Belgium

Entities

Artists

  • René Magritte
  • Giorgio de Chirico
  • Max Ernst
  • Marcel Mariën
  • Gilbert Senecaut
  • Roger Van de Wouwer
  • Leo Dohmen
  • Xavier Canonne

Institutions

  • KMSKA-Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten
  • Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Antwerp
  • Belgium
  • Madrid
  • Spain
  • Paris
  • France
  • Lessines
  • Leopold de Waelplaats 1

Sources