The Menaced Assassin, Magritte

One might think that the inspiration for this work comes from some literary passage or even a movie, but it is not so.
It is a composition that René Magritte pulled out of thin air, and thanks to the title, which is very elucidating, one can understand the event unfolding in it.

A sophisticated killer is about to be caught, he is surrounded and has been caught red-handed, seemingly indifferent and unaware that his captors are about to act. These characters are last seen wearing the classic bowler hat, indicating the psychological closeness between the artist and the characters.