Not to Be Reproduced

"Not to Be Reproduced" is a captivating surrealist painting by Belgian artist René Magritte, housed at the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam. This enigmatic piece was commissioned by the poet Edward James and is often regarded as a portrait of James, despite the fact that his face is never depicted. It is one of three works Magritte created for James's London home, along with "The Red Model" (1937) and "Time Transfixed" (1938).

In the painting, a man stands before a mirror, but instead of his face, the reflection shows the back of his head. Curiously, a book on the mantelpiece is reflected accurately. This book is a well-worn copy of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket" underscoring Magritte's admiration for Poe. Magritte also painted another portrait of James, titled "The Pleasure Principle" (1937), in which James's face is obscured by a burst of bright light as he sits at a table.

"Not to Be Reproduced" has influenced numerous other works. For instance, it appeared on the cover of Roger Daltrey's 1977 album "One of the Boys." It has also been referenced in films like "Secret Window" (2004) and "The Double" (2013), as well as in the novel "The Man Who Sleeps" and the film "Who Am I" (2014). Magritte's connection to Poe is further evident in his other creations, such as "The Domain of Arnheim" (1938), inspired by a Poe short story of the same name.