With the premiere of part one of The Deathly Hallows on November 20, Harry Potter is faced with his greatest challenge yet. November 20 is a date Mr. Potter also shares with famous artist Rene Magritte, whose birthday we also celebrate. However, both of these men have far more in common. 

Loss of a Mother

In 1912, Rene Magritte’s mother committed suicide by drowning herself in the River Sambre. This was not her first attempt. When his mother was found a few miles from Magritte’s childhood home, her face was covered by her gown. While the artist studied at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts, many of his paintings would include figures with their faces covered by a thin drapery. 

However, in young Harry Potter’s case, his mother gave her last breath to save her son from the evil wizard Lord Voldemort. Her love assisted in the rebounding of Voldermort’s death curse and imbued the protagonist with some of Voldemort’s powers–the ability to speak the language of snakes, for instance.

Tom Riddle and La Reproduction Interdite

Is that Tom Marvolo Riddle? No, that is a portrait by Magritte entitled La Reproduction Interdite,which translates to “Not To Be Reproduced.” In this artwork we have a young man, who certainly resembles Mr. Riddle, staring at the back of his own head. It is an awkward Hall of Mirrors. Magritte, as a godfather of Surrealism, often incorporated symbols and distortions of reality to show his viewer that he could never capture the actual thing on canvas, which brings us to the question at the heart of his work, do we really know ourselves? Who is this? Who is Tom Marvolo Riddle?

For those who follow the Harry Potter series, we know that Tom Marvolo Riddle’s name rearranges into the letters Lord Voldermort, but who is Lord Voldemort? In the third book, The Prisoner of Askaban, our villain does not appear in person or as a magical manifestation. We later discover that Lord Voldemort has split his soul into seven pieces and hid these pieces in “horcruxes” (Tom Riddle’s diary). Similarly, each of Magritte’s works seem to contain pieces of himself and the repetition of various common and symbolic objects in an usual setting (a bowler hat, lion, bird, and the female body, etcetera). 

Philosophy and Mystery

My painting is visible images which conceal nothing; they evoke mystery and, indeed, when one sees one of my pictures, one asks oneself this simple question, “What does that mean?” It does not mean anything, because mystery means nothing either, it is unknowable. -Rene Magritte

This perception is relevant to Kantian philosophy, and scholars say it is the basis for modern relativism. Since we each only have one perspective, we can never know they universal, it is said. With such elements as The Department of Mysteries, the Mirror of Erised (which you look into, see what you most desire, and become obsessed with it), and horcruxes, the Harry Potter series is a splendid artwork in cinematography which modernizes surrealism and the ideas which are central to Surrealist works like that of Magritte. I wonder how Magritte would depict himself looking into the Mirror of Erised, and if he did see his mother, would a drapery cover her face? Magritte is hailed as the godfather of Surrealism, and J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, is unquestionably the author of a new generation of symbolism and Surrealism, not mere fantasy.

Whether you run a major cooperation, rent a suite at the Ritz (Boardwalk Empire reference) or work from home, your environment is important for a productive work day. That, and maintaining your sanity.

There are many options to choose from when considering an aesthetic and functional appeal. Keep it modern and simple, with clean lines and open cabinets for the non-confidential materials. The theory is that most of us try to hide our messes and if we see how horrible our office looks, we will begin to “clean office” and keep it that way. There has to be an order to the chaos, and that order must suit you.

A simple way to distill the chaos and find a direction is choosing one element to focus on, such as artwork. At overstockArt.com, we have a list of our most popular choices for office art. You can also search for an original reproduction of a famous artist that suits your professional personality.

Take these three paintings:

1. Paris After the Rain

If you are looking to evoke a feeling of romance, finery, and leisure, Paris After the Rain, would be a viable choice. I see this painting placed inside a fine restaurant over a two-top table for a couple, or in an office that doesn’t get much of a view. Cherry furniture, or wood with a dark finish, would suit the office nicely, particularly in a conference room. Accents of orange and red will compliment the painting, or a satin blue (colors that remind you of rain) would make the artwork be the focus of the room with contrasting colors.

2. Poppy Field in Argenteuil, Claude Monet

Poppy Field in Argenteui by Claude Monet is a classic choice of artists for their studios and certainly would provide inspiration for florists and landscape architects in their creations. Monet’s studio in Giverny was where he spent much of his old age as an artist and rendered his greatest works. Such a painting is wonderful to draw inspiration or for a professional who would like to be reminded of beauty in their environment. Again, if your view is of a brick wall, a poppy field would add zest to your work space. The vibrant red of the poppies would work nicely in a room painted in a country yellow or similar red.

3.Persistence of Memory, Salvador Dali

Whether you despise or love time, Dali’s melting watches over a desert landscape are certainly unique and attention grabbing. A popular choice, simplicity and shades of one or two colors would work nicely with this work of art. Dali was a forerunner in the Surrealist movement, which reevaluates perceptions of our so-called reality. If you have a particular since of humor, you could place this in a waiting room if you expect your clients will have some time on their hands to peruse magazines.

These three paintings are simple suggestions to get you started. You can search by artist, style, subject, or season at overstockArt.com for an affordable and original reproduction. What look are you considering for your office?