Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 8, 2026

The Empty Mask

The Empty Mask is an oil on canvas painting by Belgian surrealist painter René Magritte, from 1928. The painting was purchased in 1973 and is on display in the National Museum of Wales, in Cardiff.

Last revised
Jul 8, 2026
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Source
The Empty Mask
Le Masque vide (French)
ArtistRené Magritte
Year1928
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions81.2 cm × 116.2 cm (32.0 in × 45+34 in)
Location

The Empty Mask (French: Le Masque vide) is an oil on canvas painting by Belgian surrealist painter René Magritte, from 1928. The painting was purchased in 1973 and is on display in the National Museum of Wales, in Cardiff.1

Magritte suggested in his essay Words and Images (1929) concerning this painting that each image represented "suggests that there are others behind it". The six images depicted in freestanding frame of irregular shape, are the sky, a lead curtain festooned with sleigh bells, a house façade, a sheet of paper cut-outs, a forest and a fire.

The title reflects the artists fascination with the subconscious.

See also

See also

References

References