The title of the painting translates to English literally as "Ongoing Time Stabbed by a Dagger" and Magritte was reportedly unhappy with the generally accepted translation of "Time Transfixed".
This painting exemplifies some of the features characteristic of Magritte’s work:
- In the midst of an ordinary, familiar setting something odd appears that makes us feel surprised or even shocked. Here, of course, the locomotive with the steam appears not to make sense, yet I cannot keep my eyes off it.
- The title refers to an concept not directly depicted in the painting yet closely related to its meaning, a meaning which, however, appears rather open.
- First, the boundaries between the public (train) and private (fireplace inside a house) seem to disappear, creating a sense close to the idea of the uncanny.
- Second, the realms of fantasy and imagination (children’s, I would say as I associate the train with children’s toys) and reality appear to mingle.
- Third, the idea of time, evoked by the movement of the train and the presence of clock on the fireplace seem to contrast with the stillness of the inert objects depicted in the painting.
Good night!
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