What is the significance of the apple in 'the son of man' by Rene Magritte?

In René Magritte's painting "The Son of Man," the Apple serves as a symbol of concealment and the tension between reality and perception. It obscures the man's face, suggesting that what is visible is not the entirety of one's identity, and invites viewers to question the nature of self and the limits of understanding. The juxtaposition of the ordinary and the surreal reflects Magritte's exploration of the uncanny, prompting contemplation about the hidden aspects of human existence.