What is art?

[Adrian II]

We could also say that it simply isn't art, but then what is it. Just a picture?

It is art commenting on itself!

That has become a genuine function of art in modern times, at least since the surrealists. This is a perfect example (bravo!) of an image that to the untrained eye looks like a fairly decent pipe advert, whereas if you followed developments in art in Magritte's time it was immediately obvious that this was a funny comment on faux realism.

The actual title of the painting is La trahison des images (Betrayal of the Images). It marks the beginning of conceptualism that put ideas over execution. Most of his work elaborates on this theme, like the 'windows on reality' series. It tells you something about the artists's approach to his subject matter; apparently he considers putting 'reality' on canvas impossible, or only through a distorting mirror.