The artwork, Son of Man by Rene Magritte is a self-portrait of Rene himself.

The
artwork seemed to be just a simple portrait of a person standing, but as I look closely,
there are details that are intriguing and symbolic.
The artwork contains details that Rene intentionally wanted us to see. And I found three
features that seem to portray meaning and explanation. First of all, the green apple that
partially covered his face. The green apple might symbolize the knowledge that is within
us as a human. Second, is the left eye of Rene that seems to be peaking. It might
symbolize the nature of humans that we always seek the invisible and us being greedy
for knowledge. This might portray the Nazi doctors who perform horrible
experimentation on the Auschwitz concentration camp victims or inmates. Third, is the
bowler hat which might be his signature that enables the viewers to recognize him in the
portrait. As I have researched, Rene Magritte witnessed such horrific happenings when
the Nazi’s take over his country and him trying his best to pursue his passion despite
the turmoil.
Rene Magritte might want to show us his overall being as a person or artist who
experienced chaos during his time. That through his artworks he can show positive
impressions instead of the destructions and horrors that is visible during his time. And
that a person cannot actually see the hidden things if he/she will not open his mind and
seek for the truth.