Giorgio de Chirico

In 2016, Pera Museum presented an extensive content with approximately 70 paintings, 2 lithography series and 10 sculptures of Giorgio de Chirico, the founder of metaphysical art, with the exhibition Giorgio de Chirico: The Enigma of the World.

Giorgio de Chirico is one of the most extraordinary figures of the 20^th century, a period marked by consecutive avant-garde movements. During this rich period that brought to fore different forms and modes of expression rather than themes in painting, de Chirico, as distinct from his contemporaries, created a unique metaphysical universe in which he carried the fresh themes he developed and carried to the center of his painting. Following the first metaphysical works he produced between 1910 and 1918, which also served as a source of inspiration for the Surrealists, he gravitated towards a different search with the changing dynamics of the post-World War I period. He was interested in ancient Greek and Roman art and reinterpreted the works of Old masters. He revisited metaphysical painting when he turned 80. He completed his artistic career with the new themes he developed in this area and the canvases he painted with lighter colours compared to his early period.

The exhibition catalogue includes writings by the artist and encompassing essays focusing on de Chirico’s artistic career and the Metaphysical Art. The catalogue also exemplifies his various periods ranging from his earliest works to his last ones.

Year of Publication: 2016
Number of pages: 283
ISBN: 978-605-4642-55-7