L'oasis

1918–1924

The years of Futurism and figurative Cubism

The paintings he produced between 1918 and 1924 were influenced by Futurism and the figurative Cubism of Metzinger.

1923

Sells his first painting — a portrait of Évelyne Brélia

His first painting sold was a portrait of the Belgian singer Évelyne Brélia, who bought it in 1923 for 100 francs.

1925

A contract with the Brussels gallery Le Centaure

A three-year contract with Galerie Le Centaure freed him from advertising work and let him devote himself entirely to painting.

1927

Meets Breton and joins the Surrealist circle

In Paris he became friends with André Breton and joined his Surrealist circle, where he kept his individuality yet found his recognisable style. He was not afraid to argue with the others: he disliked psychoanalysis, especially in art, regarding his own work as philosophical and poetic rather than psychological.

1927

Moves to Paris after the failed exhibition

Depressed by the failure of the exhibition, he left for Paris with Georgette and stayed there for about three years.

1927

First solo exhibition — and a failure

His first solo exhibition opened in Brussels; the reviews were poor, and Magritte was depressed by the failure.