"The title of this widely exhibited painting—like those of many of his works—was drawn from wide-ranging literary sources, not least the detective novels of Rex Stout," wrote "Apollo" magazine. Susan Moore, associate editor of the British arts journal, described Magritte's painting as "compellingly sinister. The wartime date of this canvas, painted during the Nazi occupation of Belgium, is significant, for there is a real sense of foreboding in this near monochrome image of beady-eyed, watchful owls." Christie's auctioned "Les compagnons de la peur" for more than $6 million in February 2015.