Wonderful and interesting piece you have written here. As an artist myself I am also interested in art history but I confess I do not know so much about Magritte being more taken with Rothko. Thus I had not seen this work of the Jockey and I find your analysis of it quite beautiful and thought provoking. I agree, of all the versions the first one painted rather simply is definitely the most powerful on the eye at least. Simplicity is often the most effect way of getting a message or view across. I find the image quite hypnotic and once see is difficult to get out of your head, a feat not easily achieved. As well as your interesting view I also see a someone who is perhaps fleeing from a world of desolation with the jockey representing the speed of which this person wished to escape. Perhaps if Magritte were alive today he might repaint it using a jet airplane. Thank you for introducing me to this wonderful piece I have gained and learned a new appreciation of this artists and will further contemplate on what this image might mean as this was just my initial response. Upvoted. I look forward to seeing more of your posts if they are as good as this one. Meaning I now will "follow" you. Cheers!