Rene Magritte was a Belgian artist known for his surrealist paintings. He was born in 1898 and is considered one of the most important figures in the Surrealist movement. His works often feature elements of surprise, unexpected juxtapositions, and a play on words. He is best known for his painting 'The Treachery of Images' which features a pipe with the caption 'Ceci n'est pas une pipe' (This is not a pipe). Magritte's work has been widely influential and continues to be celebrated today.