The progenitor of metaphysical painting — a dreamlike, realist style embracing sharp contrasts, sculpted forms and odd juxtapositions — Giorgio De Chirico profoundly influenced many Surrealist artists of his time. His early sculptures and paintings explored the complexities of the mind and reflected his affinity for contemporary European philosophy and Freudian psychoanalysis. Even though the metaphysical movement lasted only a brief time, he left a strong impression on such legendary surrealists as Salvador Dalí, René Magritte and André Breton.
De Chirico was born in Volos, Greece, to Italian parents. His father was a Sicilian baron and engineer in charge of constructing a railroad in Greece at the time of his son’s birth. In his late teens, De Chirico studied art at various institutions in Athens and Florence. After his father died, in 1905, he enrolled in the Munich Academy of Fine Arts. Here, he discovered the writings of Friedrich Nietzsche and Arthur Schopenhauer that would help to shape his future works.
In 1909, De Chirico moved to Milan and then to Florence a year later, where he began experimenting with what would become his metaphysical style. After moving again, this time to Paris in 1911, his brother Alberto Savinio helped him get several small exhibitions of his work that eventually were noticed by Pablo Picasso and the poet Guillaume Apollinaire — and his paintings began to sell.
De Chirico was conscripted into the Italian Army in 1915 but was diagnosed with a mental disorder — likely anxiety — and sent to a military hospital where he met fellow artist Carlo Carrà. Together, they devised the metaphysical painting style that consisted of fantastical images of low-lit town squares uninhabited except for marble sculptures, dummies and stretched shadows, purposefully portrayed with flattened surfaces and warped perspectives.
By the 1920s, De Chirico’s style began incorporating Renaissance and Baroque elements, and later works, from the 1960s and ’70s, brought together neoclassicism, Surrealism and ancient mythology. His art is in major museum collections across the world, including the Tate Museum of Modern Art, in London; the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, in Venice; and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York.
On 1stDibs, find Giorgio De Chirico prints, drawings, sculptures and more.
$790Sale Price|20% Off
Engraving on Silver-Plated Foil by Giorgio De Chirico Representing Horses
By Giorgio De Chirico
Located in Milano, MI
Engraving on silver-platedl by Giorgio De Chirico from the 1970s, depicting horses. Measures: Ø cm 55 H cm 48 (frame included).
Metal, Silver Plate
Giorgio De Chirico Lithograph "Gli Archeologico", 1970
By Giorgio De Chirico
Located in Vienna, AT
Giorgio De Chirico lithograph "Gli Archeologico", 1970. Lithograph on Velin with paspartout and frame, edition size: 300, lower left numbered 183/300. Signed lower right. Measurement...
$535 / set
H 9.85 in W 11.82 in D 0.79 in
Pair of 19th Century Engraving, in Color, Representing Paris Monuments, France
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
These are a pair of engraving, in color. They are representing, monuments of the city of Paris. They have been done durong the 19th century in France.
Glass, Wood, Paper
$720Sale Price|40% Off
H 10.13 in W 11.13 in D 0.07 in
Fragment de corps de femme Art Lithograph Etching after Pablo Picasso Vintage
Located in Hyattsville, MD
FRAGMENTS DE CORPS DE FEMME (from Les Metamorphoses d'Ovide) Artwork Paper W 11 1/8 x H 10 1/8 in Rectangular shadow stain to top center of ...
Paper
Pair of 18th Century Engravings of Horses
Located in Downingtown, PA
Each print is mounted in a cherrywood parcel-gilt frame, with a glazed reverse depicting the corresponding text sheet. L'Andaloux, Le Cheval d'Espagne, Plate I; Le Barbe, Le Che...
Paper
19th c. French Framed Copper Plate Botanical Engraving on Laid Paper
Located in Wichita, KS
Copper plate engraving of the Geranium by Pancrace Bessa, 1819. Engraving with original hand-coloring on laid paper with visible ribbed paper texture and plate marks. There are a t...
Paper
Roger Bezombes Limited Edition Lithograph "Pots de Fleurs"
By Roger Bezombes
Located in Woodbury, CT
A vibrant limited edition lithograph by Roger Bezombes, depicting an abstract arrangement of flowers in pots. Roger Bezombes was a prominent French painter, sculptor, and illustrato...
Paper
Alexander Calder Lithograph (La Pointe de non-retour) 1976
By Alexander Calder
Located in Woodbury, CT
Alexander Calder Lithograph, La Pointe de non-retour (The Point of No Return), from La Mémoire élémentaire (The Elementary Memory), 1976 hand signed and numbered in Roman numerals XX...
Paper
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec "Jane Avril" Lithograph
By Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
Located in New York, NY
Aptly titled "Jane Avril," celebrated lithograph artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec captures here, in static form, the very particular brand of motion Avril f...
Giltwood, Paper
$940
H 16.93 in W 22.05 in D 0 in
Equestrian Dressage Horse Print Original Handcolored Antique Engraving , 1743
Located in Langweer, NL
Text: "Le cheval étant sur son plan naturel, pour faire voir la plus parfaitte posture du Cavallier" Translated: "The horse being in its natural position, to show the most perfect ...
Paper
Copper Plate Engravings by Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in San Francisco, CA
G. B. Piranesi in his fifties was interested in archaeology and studied in Southern Italy where he produced drawings of Greek architecture. Medium: Etching on laid paper. Year: circa...
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
$654
H 12.52 in W 22.76 in D 0.4 in
Old Nautical Print by Engraving on Copper Plate from the Panckoucke Encyclopédie
Located in Milan, IT
Print by engraving on copper plate from the Panckoucke Encyclopédie méthodique, end of the 18th century, volume Marine Planches (more than 1,500 figures dealing with all subjects on the marina: planes, construction, carpentry, tree trunks, armaments of maneuvers, ropes, sails, artillery, ship maneuvers and combat tactics). This is the plate n. 149, page. 166 fig. 1209-1212; with frame cm 57.8 x 31.8. The prospect of the side of a ship is depicted. The Print has the "Benard direxit...
Paper
Limited Edition 1970 Lithograph by Kumi Sugai
By Kumi Sugai
Located in Weesp, NL
Kumi Sugaï, one of the most internationally acclaimed Japanese painters of the twentieth century. Limited edition lithograph ‘Ciel et le Ciel‘ by Kumi Sugai...
Paper
Limited Edition 1970 Lithograph by Kumi Sugai
By Kumi Sugai
Located in Weesp, NL
Kumi Sugaï, one of the most internationally acclaimed Japanese painters of the twentieth century. ’ Balle et Balle ’ 1970 lithograph by Kumi Sugai. Hand signed and numbered in penci...
Paper
Giorgio De Chirico (1888-1978) Melanconia torinese, 1950
By Giorgio De Chirico
Located in New York, NY
Giorgio De Chirico Melanconia torinese, 1950. Vintage Centro Tornabuoni exhibition poster in original brass frame. Italy, 20th Century. Dimensions: 29" H x 21" W x .75" D
Brass
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H 31.5 in W 23.63 in D 1.19 in
GIORGIO DE CHIRICO - Sole sul tempio 1969 Litografia firmata e numerata
By Giorgio De Chirico
Located in Vigevano, PV
Giorgio de Chirico (Volos 1888 - Roma 1978) "Sole sul tempio" 1969 litografia a colori cm 70x50 Firmata in basso a destra titolata e numerata 45/90 Timbro a secco "Alberto Caprini S...
Metal
Giorgio De Chirico Original Signed and Numbered Colored Etching
By Giorgio De Chirico
Located in Roma, IT
Lithograph realized by Giorgio de Chirico in 1973 Title "Trovatore tra le nubi". Edition 42\110 numbered and hand signed. Published on the catalogue "Giorgio de Chirico. Catalogo ...
Wood, Paper
terracotta policroma incorniciata - opera - de chirico - arte
By Giorgio De Chirico
Located in Milano, MI
Epoca: anni 80 Origine: Italia Materiale: Terracotta Condizione prodotto: ottime Dimensioni (cm): 70 x 70
Clay
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H 33.5 in W 26.5 in D 1.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Framed Giorgio De Chirico Signed Le Maschere Lithograph, 1970
By Giorgio De Chirico
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a surreal, framed lithograph, entitled "Le Maschere," signed by Girogio De Chirico, dated 1970, numbered 12/25. In excellent condition. The dimensions of th...
Paper
Giorgio de Chirico 'I Ballerini', 1970
By Giorgio De Chirico
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Giorgio de Chirico (Italian 1888-1978) Artist: Giorgio de Chirico Title: 'I ballerini' Medium: 6 color lithograph, hand colored Signature: Hand-signed in pencil by artist. Re...
"Horses on the Shore, " De Chirico print with Original Cerused Frame
By Giorgio De Chirico
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Saturated with rich color, this 1940s color lithograph by Giorgio De Chirico was produced by Raymond & Raymond (of New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco...
Wood, Ink, Paper