Several times in 1940 Magritte explored the motif of a landscape viewed through the silhouette of a floral arrangement. Le Plagiat (Plagiarism) can be compared to its sister image The Country of Marvels; the former presents a landscape in full spring bloom in contrast to the cool winter tones of the latter. A tree in full bloom shows through the outline of the bouquet, serving as a visual reminder. Magritte's title for this work implies that the bouquet displayed indoors is a copy - or worse - of the natural world outside. The vase is a substitute for the spring tree, just as his composition will only ever be a sad stand-in for the true glory of a sunny day scented with flowers.

Created after an original gouache on paper from 1940 with the same title, this original color lithograph is facsimile signed 'Magritte' in graphite color at the lower right; the work bears the blindstamp of the ADAGP in the lower left corner and the blindstamp of the Magritte Succession in the lower right. Numbered 299/300 and created aside from 45 artist's proofs numbered 1-45 and labeled 'EA', this print is also initialed by Charley Herscovici, President of the Fondation Magritte and ADAGP. This limited edition was published by Philippe Moreno, Paris and the print bears a block of printed text on the verso describing this edition.

DOCUMENTED AND ILLUSTRATED IN:
1. Gimferrer, Pere. Magritte. Barcelona: Ediciones Polígrafa, S.A., 1986. Original gouache listed and illustrated as catalogue no. 113.

ABOUT THE FRAMING:
Framed to museum-grade conservation standards, this work is presented in a modern moulding with mats and optical-grade Plexiglas.