The Belgian painter Ren#65533; Magritte (1898-1967) was one of the outstanding--and most enigmatic--figures of the Surrealist movement. Since the 1960s, his work has had an enormous and continuing influence, not only on art, but on culture at large. His unforgettable paintings--poetic and often puzzling--have become part of our popular imagery.  This magisterial volume by David Sylvester, the foremost expert on Magritte’s work--out of print for more than a decade--is available again to celebrate the opening of the new Magritte Museum in Brussels.  Brought up to date by the museum's director, Michel Draguet, the book offers 40 chapters of critical insights and clues to Magritte's puzzles, and over 500 lush full-color illustrations, making it an uparalleled source for understanding and appreciating an enormously popular and remarkably creative artist.