The Lovers

Well, this is an awkward kiss. Two figures press together in what should be a passionate embrace, but their heads are inexplicably wrapped in white cloth. So much for romance. What does it all mean? The shrouds could be a commentary on the inherent mystery in relationships, suggesting we can never truly see or know our partners, no matter how close we get. This barrier transforms an intimate act into one of frustration and longing, highlighting the isolation we can feel even with a lover. Or perhaps it's just a very literal, and slightly unsettling, take on the idea that "love is blind". Painted in 1928, the work is a classic example of the Surrealist movement, which was all about exploring the irrational and the subconscious. The composition is a tight close-up, forcing the viewer to confront the bizarre scene. The stark white of the veils stands out against the man's dark suit and the woman's red dress, set against a plain, ambiguous background. Magritte was a master of placing ordinary objects in strange contexts to challenge our perceptions of reality. In fact, he created a series of four paintings with this shrouded-lovers theme, apparently to really drive home the point that relationships are a bit weird. This artwork can be found at Museum of Modern Art.