Empire of Light

Mediums: oil, canvas.
Location: private collection.

The first of a series of paintings dedicated to the night city. The street depicted on the canvas is very similar to the one where the artist lived, leading a quiet and unremarkable life on the outskirts of Brussels. A cozily burning lantern and dim light in the windows of the houses show an ordinary evening in an ordinary city, only the sky, unusually blue and bright, which happens only at noon, creates a strange contrast and a mysteriously romantic atmosphere. The artist created at least eight works on this theme; they were popular and were bought up by collectors immediately after they were created. The motif of the combination of day and night, which Magritte used, was reflected in mystical films and became the cover of several books and the music album of a famous rock band.