FANS of the popular children’s TV series Mr Benn may not know it, but Festive Road’s most famous resident was based on a painting by Rene Magritte.
The Belgian surrealist painted a series of images depicting men wearing bowler hats, some with apples in front of their faces. He is also one of ex-Beatle Sir Paul McCartney’s favourite artists and it’s claimed the record label Apple took its name from a Magritte work.
This summer, Tate Liverpool will be presenting the first major exhibition of his paintings to be held in the UK in almost 20 years. René Magritte: The Pleasure Principle, from June 24 to October 16, will focus on the less explored aspects of Magritte’s life and artistic practice.
The gallery’s publishing department is releasing a series of Mr Benn books to mark the 40th anniversary of his first television appearance.
LiveRead has three copies of the first of his adventures, Mr Benn - Red Knight by David McKee, to give away ahead of its publication in May.
For a chance to win, simply answer the following question: In what year was Mr Benn - Red Knight first published?
Answers to laura.davis@liverpool.com or LiveRead, Liverpool Daily Post & Echo, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool L69 3EB by 5pm on Monday March 7, 2011. Usual terms and conditions apply.
* READ more about Tate Liverpool's Magritte exhibition here and buy the book here
