The composition of René Magritte's Music Lesson is ambiguous and enigmatic, placing familiar objects in an unfamiliar setting. By combining inanimate objects with the human ear, Magritte subverts the traditional still life school, challenging the viewer's expectations of a work of art and allowing for a new interpretation of everyday events.

In the piece Music Lesson, Magritte combines one of his most iconic images with a meticulous depiction that pays homage to his all-time favorite artist, Vermeer.