Magritte's 1953 painting Golconde depicts a hexagonal grid pattern of identical men appearing to rain down from the sky above an urban landscape. While the men seem to move, they are neither rising nor falling. The uniforms of the men suggest they have desk jobs, potentially commenting on societal expectations of masculinity at that time. The detailed shadows and odd half-windows seen further illustrate the surreal quality of the scene, which is viewed from mid-air, involving the viewer in the dream-like setting.

1. Magritte was making in his paintings only in the last years of his
life. The painting was named after the ancient Indian city, famous
for the production of especially large diamonds. As was often the
case with Magritte's works, the title Golconda was found by his
poet friend Louis Scutenaire.
Critical Appreciation
At first glance our gaze falls upon the hexagonal grid pattern
created by what looks like its Raining men. Which can also
depict the society at that time i.e. a world dominated by men.
They neither appear going up nor falling down but still creates a
sense of motion. We can see that all men looks identical with
slight differences which makes them seem unique. They look like
they work a 9 to 5 desk job based on their attire which is maybe
showing the mentality of the people that an ideal man should be
doing the same.
The buildings in the background helps to create a sense of depth
in the painting and also the shadows of men on the building is
showing the amount of detailing the artist has went through to
create this painting.
Odd half windows shown in the painting illustrates that this is not
real and could be a scene from dream showing surrealism. The
viewer is also being part of the painting as the view is from mid-
air and not from the ground making it feel like we are also
floating like the men in the painting.
Abhinand
Golconde
René Magritte, 1953
Oil on canvas, 81 cm x 100 cm