René Magritte

Updated October 27, 2026

Title: Two Men in Bowler Hats Standing Among the Clouds Technique: Gouache on paper Measures: 9 x 12 inches (22.9 x 30.5 cm) Year: Undated Condition: Appears in generally good visual condition based on the photographs supplied, with soft, even coloration and a finely granular, velvety surface texture throughout the sky and clouds. No significant losses, tears, or creases are apparent in the available images. Minor surface irregularities, light handling marks, and age-related wear may be present. Presented in a dark brown wooden frame with a distressed finish, a silver-toned inner lip, and a beaded border, showing minor surface wear. Not examined out of the frame. Condition is described from the photographs supplied. Please review all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the condition description. Provenance: Acquired by private sale from the private collection of the Takahashi family in Tokyo to the private collection of the Watanabe family in Fukuoka. Visual Description: A quiet, dreamlike scene in horizontal format, in which a vast sky of cloud fills nearly the entire composition. Billowing cumulus forms in white, cream, and pale gray drift across a field of cobalt, cerulean, and soft sky blue, their edges softly blurred and their undersides tinged with lavender, mauve, and blush pink toward the lower half of the sheet. A thin, dark blue band of sea runs along the very bottom edge, establishing a distant horizon. Just right of center, two small figures in dark overcoats and bowler hats, seen from behind, stand calmly side by side in midair as though on solid ground. One leans on a cane while the other raises a hand in a gesture of conversation, their compact silhouettes contrasting sharply with the immensity and softness of the clouds around them. The deadpan, matter-of-fact presentation of an impossible situation, the anonymous bowler-hatted figures, and the luminous, carefully modeled sky reflect the visual language of Surrealism and its poetic disruption of ordinary logic. The lower right bears a painted inscription reading "magritte." This composition reflects stylistic elements commonly associated with major figures in modern and contemporary art. For additional information regarding certification, provenance, or any inquiries about this piece or other items, please don't hesitate to contact us through the HiBid platform. A secondary market exists for uncatalogued artworks like this one, which often results in lower estimated and sale prices compared to catalogued artist works. If you have any specific questions or require further assistance in understanding the value, context, or details of this artwork, we are here to help and provide any additional information you may need.

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