La trahison des images (The Treachery of Images), by René Magritte, is another work Bird discusses in “word as image,” which has evolved from ancient hieroglyphics to surrealist humor. The text below the pipe reads, “This is not a pipe.” Jan. 9, 2013 Facebook Twitter Reddit Print La trahison des images (The Treachery of Images), by René Magritte, is another work Bird discusses in “word as image,” which has evolved from ancient hieroglyphics to surrealist humor. The text below the pipe reads, “This is not a pipe.”