Le Plagiat (René Magritte, 1940) painted by Frederik Cnockaert, 1998 (Jan Theuninck collection)

The 1940 Magritte original measures 54 by 65 cm and is cataloged in his oeuvre catalog. This hand-painted copy measures 75 cm by 100 cm (without frame) is much larger than the original, in order to prevent later fraud, painted in 1998 
https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/rene-magritte-1893-1983-le-plagiat-plagiary-5650365-details.aspx

The story in this work is one of hope. Not a world full of darkness and horror, but a hopeful ray of light, a beautiful landscape in a flower still life. The flowers here act as a window into a landscape of grass, trees and clouds. The eggs in a nest represent the outside world invading nature. As is often the case in René Magritte's artworks, there are hidden messages that stimulate our imagination .... The intention in this work is (according to the interpretation of the author of this study) to offer comfort. Magritte painted this original work during a difficult time, in 1940, just before the invasion of Belgium, ie at the start of the Second World War. He continued to depict his positive thoughts in his paintings.

"I made this study copy years ago to master Magritte's brushstroke, in preparation for some of his works that I was allowed to restore. My hand-painted copy was a good exercise to properly apply Magritte's hand, mind and brush feel during the restorations to be carried out." Artist Frederik Cnockaert was born  October 18, 1968 in the Belgian city of Kortrijk .He is a well known and highly respected art restorer. Trained at the Academy of Bruges and Gent . He is regarded as one of Belgium’s best craftsmen, producing technically brilliant and beautiful paintings. Member of the Royal Guild of St-Lucas of Kortrijk. He has worked for museums in the following cities: Brussels, Kortrijk, Menen, Ypres, St-Ydesbald, Gent, Bruges, Antwerp...His art studio is called “Atelier Kerat”- restoration and conservation of Art. Preservation of old and new paintings, on canvas, paper or panel. Polychromed wooden statues, stone sculptures and other carriers. Expertise and offer to be made free. ART conservator restorer Frederik Cnockaert is the expert craftsman of the highest quality see more our site contact info(at)kerat.be His applied arts Studio produces also high quality artisan paintings, commission portraits and made to order applied works painting techniques
https://www.kerat.be/en/homepage.html

Op deze studie staat, zowel op de voorzijde als op de rugzijde van het doek '' studiekopie naar Magritte en ook mijn naam en monogram. Zodoende kan er hier dus geen verwarring ontstaan met het origineel. Heb mijn studie iets frisser, warmer van tint en roder van kleur gemaakt omdat ik denk dat dit origineel ook zo moet geweest zijn.. Heb ook enkele kleine verschillen gemaakt in de details. Het origineel schilderij is licht verkleurd doordat de gebruikte kleurpigmenten van Magritte, die zeer gevoelig zijn aan licht en vochtinwerkingen. Als restaurateur mogen we het origineel niet herschilderen, maar enkel minimaal retoucheren bv. bij een scheur. Dus op een origineel kan men niet gaan bijschilderen of vervaagde kleuren terug bijwerken. Bij het maken van een studie kopie kan dit wel. Het maken van een studie is ook niet frauduleus, zolang deze niet als een origineel wordt aangeboden.