Belgian surrealist painter René Magritte is renowned for depicting typical, everyday objects in absurd and illogical combinations. His 1952 oil on canvas, Personal Values, is no exception: this dreamlike painting of oddly-sized, ordinary items intentionally creates a sense of curiosity and confusion for the viewer.

Well-blended brushstrokes and carefully positioned shadows enhance the three-dimensional nature of the objects while a striking color palette of yellow, beige and pink adds to the vivid imagery.