Commissioned by Gilbert Périer, President of Sabena World Airlines & art collector in 1965, Magritte completed the painting in 1966. The first recorded mention of the painting's role as a Sabena emblem is found in a letter to Harry Torczyner in which Magritte says: "Thanks to the effort of Mr. Périer, my "sky bird" will also appear on Sabena's planes. This image has been the subject of a contract which is going to make my life a bit more comfortable."

Soon, the bird will be displayed on timetables, brochures posters, leaflets etc.

The Sabena will replace the sky bird in 1973 by a new emblem.

Original artwork provenance: Private collection

All images: © 2012 C. Herscovici, Brussels / ADAGP, Paris