Deconstructing artwork

For this task, we have been asked to pick one of the two Rene Magritte images, The Therapist (1937), or The Threatened Assassin (1926), and to follow these steps in the same order:

I have chosen to look at “The Therapist” (1937)

First, I studied the image for 5 minutes, just looking at it and then wrote down three different possibilities of what this painting might be about. 

My first response to the painting was that it may be about being trapped in your own mind, as the cage replaces the body of the figure apart from legs and arms. I then felt that this painting could be about the hidden innocence of therapists themselves, that they have their own problems too. I came to this idea as doves traditionally symbolise innocence and are hidden behind a cloak, as well as the actual title of the painting. My third thought was that maybe it’s about having to hide away certain elements of yourself to succeed or do your job. Therapists have to hide their own feelings to do their job. 

Next, I made a list of all the ‘objects’ I could see in the painting;

• Cane/walking stick
• Sack – Could be a sack of money or a physical depiction of “emotional baggage”.
• Doves – Traditionally symbolises purity and innocence.
• Cage – Adds a trapped feeling.
• Cloak – Adds secrecy to the image.
• Straw hat – Adds a human quality to the figure. 
• Trousers – Adds a human quality to the figure and implies the figure is male. 
• Black boots – Adds a human and masculine quality to the figure.
• Sand
• Sea
• Grass
• Sky

The next task was to write down five emotions/feelings you can associate with this image;

• Feeling hidden, caged and trapped
• Secretive
• Feeling empty 
• Sadness 
• Innocence

Actions and happenings in the painting

The figure is sat on a sand dune, and is holding two items, one in each hand, a cane or walking stick and a sack. The two doves are in an open cage. One of the doves is laid quiet comfortably in the opening, but the other is stood with its head down at the back of the cage. Other than this there are no actions or movements in the painting

Three things in the background:

• The Sky – The sky is quiet dark but clear, with no clouds and gets lighter to the horizon.
• The Sea – The sea appears to be still and calm, with no movement or obvious waves. It is dark blue in colour, similar to the top of the sky.
• The Sand – The sand is uneven, in small mounds or hills. In the sand some grass grows, and looks straw-like in texture and is an off, dirty, green colour. 

The first things I see in the middle of the image

The first thing I notice in the middle of the painting are the caged doves. The next, is the unexpected open door of he cage which, for me, adds some confusion and contradiction. It makes me question why the cage is there in the first place if the door is left open? I then notice the bright red cloak which appears to be sheltering, hiding or protecting the birds.

Covering the left-half of the image, I looked at the visible part. Not much is shown apart for half the figure, the sack, and very little of the birds. I then covered this side and revealed the left of the image. Now, what was visible was much more of he birds and the walking stick/cane.

Why is this here?

Ask ‘why is this here’ for three different things in the image – then write down some possible answers;

• The cane. People use canes to help them to walk. Maybe this has been painted to show age or weakness
• The Sack. On closer inspection, I have noticed the sack has a rip in the side which has been poorly stitched up. This could be a metaphor for emotional baggage and trying to keep it closed up and private or even trying to fix or repair problems. 
• The doves. I can only think about the symbolism behind the doves, purity and innocence.

Give this painting three new alternative titles; 

• “Hidden”
• “The Caged Man”
• “Hidden Innocence”

I have taken a break from the painting, around 15 – 20 minutes, and have come back to the image, to write at least 300 words of my own analysis of the scene, focusing on the greater meaning it generates for me:

After looking at and deconstructing Magrette’s work, I feel that I have gained more of an understanding for Magrittes’ painting. From my observations, I feel that Magritte depicted the “therapist” as a bodiless and faceless figure sat on sand dunes with a cane in one hand, and, what I assume, is a money sack in the other. I feel that the money sack signifies how expensive therapy is, while the cane can be a symbol for hard work taking it’s toll on the “therapist”, putting the idea of mental illness into a physical difficulty that can be seen by others. 

The cloak the “Therapist” is wearing, is open, exposing the caged doves. I feel that the open cage is a depiction of a therapy session. The cage is open, with one dove sat in the opening and the other stood deeper inside. Maybe the dove sat in the opening of the cage is trying to help the other get out or be free, much like a therapist trying to help their client find peace or freedom within themselves. 

I believe that nothing in a piece of art is there by accident, and that every aspect of a painting or artwork is there to represent or add something to the composition. In the background, the sky and sea are both quite dark, but clear and calm, with no movement or obvious waves/clouds. Both are quite dark blue in colour, which probably symbolises that the “therapist” is calm and un-phased by things, but very much understands and acknowledges the “darkness”. The sand the “therapist” is sitting on is uneven, maybe a symbol for the ups and downs of therapy. In the sand some grass grows, and looks straw-like in texture and is an off, dirty, green colour, this could be a symbol for the imperfections of people, the rough parts of ourselves.