Lalique Le Bouchon d’épouvante

Of the objects created by Lalique, the bowler hat is the only Magritte work which exists in the form both of a painting and of an object. Created a few days apart, both works are entitled Le Bouchon d’Épouvante (The Horror Cork). Incidentally, the man in the bowler hat is as evocative of Magritte himself as of his work. The painter used to wear this hat to town, as many photographs affirm. Interestingly, before making the object, Magritte asked the collector commissioning it to pay in advance. Marcel Mabille received a detailed letter from the painter accompanied by a drawing. He then went out and bought the appropriate hat and the requested labels, which Magritte later signed. The artist also took the time to describe how to present the hat. Thus, the task of Lalique quite naturally forms part of a process in which Magritte might, by no great stretch of the imagination, have been an accomplice.

There is no disputing that the result is respectful of the oeuvre of a peerless painter, René Magritte, and aligned with the tradition of a peerless artist, René Lalique. Both share the same first name; both share a timeless talent. The Lalique crystal creations take up the iconic subjects of the oeuvre of Magritte. There is a degree of adjustment, but also respect for the intentions, processes and research inherent in its work.