Giorgio de Chirico

Giorgio de Chirico, born in Volos, the capital of Thessaly, in 1888, hailed from a family of mixed Sicilian and Genoese heritage. His father, Evaristo de Chirico, was a railway engineer. Following the death of his father, the de Chirico family relocated to Munich in 1906. Giorgio embarked on artistic studies at the fine arts academy in Munich, immersing himself in the works of Böcklin and Klinger. He delved into philosophy, studying Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, and Weininger, and painted his initial pieces inspired by Böcklin during this period.

Returning to Rome in 1910, he later moved to Paris in 1911 with his mother and brother. However, before reaching Paris, they visited Florence and Turin, leaving a profound impact on de Chirico. The deserted city squares and monumental architecture immersed in warm summer light inspired his metaphysical period, as seen in works like "Enigma dell’oracolo" and "Enigma di un pomeriggio di autunno," exhibited at the Salon d’Automne in Paris in 1912.

In 1913, he exhibited at the Salon des Indépendents, connecting with Cubist avant-garde artists and signing a contract with dealer Paul Guillaume through the influence of critic Apollinaire. His international recognition began in 1914.

With the outbreak of World War I, de Chirico and his brother returned to Italy, influencing artists like Filippo de Pisis and Carlo Carrà with their neo-primitivism figuration. This marked the inception of "Metaphysical painting," revealing deeper aspects of reality beyond objective boundaries.

In 1919, de Chirico took part in the art scene in Rome, collaborating with the Valori Plastici group and exhibiting at Anton Giulio Bragaglia’s Casa d’Arte. Despite initial criticism, his works found favor with critics. He participated in various shows in Italy and Germany, and his language demonstrated a return to antique painting.

The 1920s saw de Chirico's association with Surrealists, collaborating with Breton's magazine "La Revolution Surréaliste." He moved to Paris in 1925, contributing to Surrealist exhibitions but eventually facing criticism for his anti-modernist works. Themes like archaeology, manikins, horses by the seashore, and gladiators emerged in his art during this period.

Returning to Italy in 1932, de Chirico settled in Florence, engaged in prolific set design work, and participated in prominent exhibitions. In 1936, he moved to New York for three years, contributing to significant Surrealist exhibitions. Returning to Italy in 1938, he settled in Milan, producing terracotta sculptures reminiscent of his painted themes.

The following decade marked de Chirico's baroque period, characterized by self-portraits in costume and a return to the great masters of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. In 1944, he moved to Rome and continued his participation in major art events.

From 1949 to 1954, he organized solo exhibitions in London and Venice in protest against the selective acceptance of his Metaphysical period and the dominance of abstract works in the Venice Biennale. After a retrospective show in Milan in 1970, numerous exhibitions and honors followed, with de Chirico passing away in Rome in 1978.