Giorgio De Chirico Art for Sale: Prints & Originals

Born in Volos, Greece, in 1888, Giorgio De Chirico was the descendant of a noble Italian family. His early years were steeped in the rich cultural heritage of the Mediterranean, which would shape his artistic vocabulary. His education was eclectic; he received initial artistic training at the Athens Polytechnic before moving to Munich in 1906, where he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts. There, he was influenced by the philosophical writings of Nietzsche and the works of Arnold Böcklin and Max Klinger, whose art flirted with the symbolic and the surreal.

In 1910, De Chirico moved to Florence and later to Paris, where he developed his signature Metaphysical Painting style. This period was marked by a series of seminal works, such as The Enigma Of The Oracle and The Soothsayer’s Recompense, which featured the empty, arcaded town squares that became icons of his oeuvre. De Chirico's masterful manipulation of perspective and light created eerie, foreboding environments where time appeared to stand still.

Following his service in World War I, De Chirico’s art underwent notable changes, and he began to revisit classical themes and iconography, drawing inspiration from the Old Masters. This shift was met with criticism from the Surrealists, who had once championed his earlier metaphysical phase.

Despite the controversy, De Chirico continued to exhibit widely, with significant shows in Italy and abroad. His work was celebrated for its innovative exploration of the subconscious and its impact on artists like Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, and Max Ernst, who recognised De Chirico's influence on their own surrealist expressions.

De Chirico's legacy is one of introspection and innovation. His contributions to Surrealism and the broader trajectory of modern art were honoured with retrospectives in New York. He left behind a body of work that remains influential, not only in the visual arts but also in literature and philosophy, shaping the dialogue on the power of imagination and the mysteries of the human psyche.

Giorgio De Chirico passed away in Rome in 1978, leaving a timeless legacy that continues to inspire and perplex audiences, inviting them into his world where classical beauty meets the depths of the subconscious. His work remains a testament to the enduring power of mystery in art.

Giorgio De Chirico is heralded as the founder of the Metaphysical art movement. This enigmatic style is characterised by dreamlike scenes with eerie, desolate cityscapes, elongated shadows, and illogical perspectives. De Chirico's formative works, produced before World War I, such as The Enigma Of An Autumn Afternoon, profoundly influenced the Surrealists who sought to unlock the subconscious mind through art, finding a kindred spirit in De Chirico's haunting urban mazes and evocative use of symbols.
An avid reader of philosophical texts, De Chirico's work is heavily infused with references to Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, and the writings of Arthur Rimbaud. His art conveys a sense of existential mystery, exploring themes of nostalgia, enigma, and the uncanny - hallmarks of his engagement with philosophy. This intellectual underpinning sets De Chirico apart, as his paintings are contemplative journeys into the depths of human psyche and the riddles of existence.
Throughout his career, Giorgio De Chirico was a man of transformation, consistently reinventing his artistic approach. After his Metaphysical period, he surprised and even dismayed followers by delving into a more traditional Renaissance and Baroque style, a phase he called “Pittura Metafisica”. His later work included more figurative elements and a return to classical themes and techniques, which was perceived as a radical departure from his earlier, more avant-garde compositions. De Chirico's legacy is a testament to the restless spirit of innovation and the endless pursuit of artistic evolution.