89: RENE MAGRITTE (1898-1967) PENCIL SIGNED ARTIST'S PROOF

Rene Magritte (1898-1967)
La Sourire du Diable (The Smile of the Devil) (1966)
The artist's proof etching numbered 1 from an edition of 5 artist's proof prints on watermarked Richard de Bas paper is inscribed E.A. for ''épreuve d'artiste'', Artist's Proof in French. This rare edition is signed by the artist in pencil below the image lower right, printed by Atelier Rigal, Paris and illustrated in Kaplan and Baum, The Graphic Work of René Magritte, New York: II Editions, 1982. #7.

Rene Magritte and Salvador Dali were the most prominent of all surrealists. While Dali is associated with the bizarre, Magritte challenges viewers' conceptions of reality and presents quiet philosophical puzzles, like a floating key (what it fits is not known) in another world as viewed through a key hole.
Image size 7 x 5, sheet measures 15.25 x 11.25, the frame is 20 x 16.5 inches.
Very good condition, the full untrimmed sheet with deckle edges, not laid down, no damage, stain, punctures, tears or repair; framed to archival standards in acid free mounts.
$5,000 - $7,000