The Empire of Light II by Magritte
From $36.00
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Delivery times depending on your location in Australia. Our normal turnaround for delivery (from placing the order to receiving the artwork) - is within 8 days. priority service speeds this up. We print in Noosa and Perth, giving us coverage on both the east and west coasts. Check this page for more accurate time frames for all locations.
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What many customers appreciate most is that we are a real business you can actually speak to. If you have questions about sizing, framing, artwork choices, or what might work best in your space, please contact us directly and speak with our team rather than relying on an anonymous marketplace. We also have offices where you can get real support, which gives you confidence when ordering something important for your home. That combination of Australian production, premium materials, and real human service is why many people return to us when they want wall art done properly.
- All Australian orders for Art are Handmade in Noosa or Perth, Australia (*International orders are printed overseas)
- We use 100% Cotton, textured canvas NOT the cheaper plastic looking, Poly-Cotton
- Free image manipulation such as removing red-eye, straightening horizons and lightening the image if needed
- Art is delivered ready to hang on the wall, straight to your door
- Carefully bubble wrapped and boxed to prevent damage in transit
- Every canvas print is stretched by hand on a thick, 1.5” quality kiln-dried pine wood stretcher frame
- Protected with invisible spray UV laminate against fading in the harsh Australian climate, our art shouldn’t fade for up to 70 years!
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The Empire of Light II by René Magritte Print
René Magritte’s The Empire of Light II (L’Empire des Lumières II) is a surreal masterpiece that masterfully plays with opposites to create a scene that is both familiar and disorienting. Painted in 1950, this work is part of Magritte’s iconic series exploring the juxtaposition of day and night. The painting captures a quiet suburban street lit by a single streetlamp, surrounded by the stillness of night, while the sky above glows with the brightness of daylight. This paradoxical combination is a hallmark of Magritte’s style, challenging the viewer’s perception of reality.
The artwork creates an uncanny atmosphere through its meticulous attention to detail. The house, with its windows faintly illuminated, appears serene and ordinary, yet the juxtaposition of its shadowy surroundings against the bright, cloud-dappled sky unsettles the viewer. Magritte’s use of soft, diffused light in both the sky and the street enhances the surreal quality of the painting, making the scene feel dreamlike yet grounded in realism.
Magritte’s The Empire of Light II is not merely a visual contradiction; it is a philosophical exploration of duality and coexistence. By combining elements of light and darkness, day and night, the painting invites the viewer to reflect on the interplay between opposites. It suggests that these apparent contradictions can coexist harmoniously, challenging conventional boundaries and inspiring contemplation on the nature of perception and reality.
The painting also reflects Magritte’s ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. A simple suburban street, devoid of action or figures, becomes a canvas for profound ideas. This approach aligns with Magritte’s broader philosophy, where the goal of art is to make the viewer see the world in a new way. The quiet, almost mundane elements of The Empire of Light II become enigmatic under Magritte’s lens, prompting viewers to find wonder in the everyday.
This work has become one of Magritte’s most recognisable and celebrated pieces, housed in collections that showcase the best of Surrealism. Its timeless appeal lies in its ability to evoke both comfort and mystery, making it endlessly intriguing to art lovers and casual viewers alike. The painting has inspired numerous interpretations and continues to captivate audiences with its serene yet unsettling beauty.
The Empire of Light II exemplifies Magritte’s genius in creating art that transcends the visible world. By inviting the viewer to experience the impossible, Magritte blurs the line between reality and imagination, offering a poetic reminder that art has the power to transform the way we see the world. This painting is not just an image; it is a journey into the boundless possibilities of perception.











