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.
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...
$777Sale 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
$2,499
H 24.75 in W 20.5 in D 1.25 in
Alexander Calder "Squash Blossoms" Signed Lithograph Artist Proof 1970s
By Alexander Calder
Located in Oxnard, CA
Alexander Calder (1898-1976) "Squash Blossoms" lithograph, circa 1973 Artist proof Signed in pencil Frame size: 20-1/2" x 24-3/4" Paper size: 13-7/8" x 20-1/2" Image size: 9" x 12-1/4"
Paper
Framed 18th Century Comte de Buffon Engraving of ‘English Horses’
Located in South Paris, ME
Framed hand-colored engraving from George’s-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle depicting ‘English horses’. Mounted on hand marbled paper, matted, and framed in a bob...
Hardwood, Paint, Paper
$7,000Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 26 in W 20.5 in D 1.5 in
Copper Plate Engravings by Giovanni Battista Piranesi
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in San Francisco, CA
Set of etchings of views of a Greek ceremonial klismos chair. In his fifties, G.B. Piranesi was interested in archaeology and studied in Southern Ita...
Wood, Paper
$813
H 13.39 in W 8.27 in D 0.01 in
Early Frisian and Hungarian Horse Engraving by Jonstonus & Merian, 1650
Located in Langweer, NL
Jonstonus Friesian and Hungarian Horses Engraving, 1650 Description: Original antique copper engraving depicting two European horse breeds: the Friesian horse (“Equus Frisicus – Frisisch Pferd”) and the Pannonian or Hungarian horse (“Equus Pannonicus sive Hungaric – Hungarisches Pferd”). The upper composition shows the powerful Friesian horse standing in profile, distinguished by its heavy build, long flowing mane and feathered legs. Below, the Hungarian horse is represented in a dramatic rearing pose, creating a particularly lively and decorative equestrian composition. The engraving was published in Joannes Jonstonus’ important Historiae naturalis de quadrupetibus, Frankfurt am Main, 1650. The work was issued by the heirs of Matthäus Merian and forms part of Jonstonus’ celebrated multi-volume natural history of animals. Joannes Jonstonus (1603–1675), also known as John Johnston or Jan Jonston, was a Polish-born physician, naturalist and scholar. His extensive natural-history publications were among the important illustrated zoological works of the 17th century, preceding the systematic classification of Linnaeus by more than a century. From the first edition of Historiae naturalis de quadrupetibus, published in Frankfurt by the Merian publishing house in 1650. Plate II, titled within the engraving: “Equus Frisicus – Frisisch Pferd” “Equus Pannonicus sive Hungaric – Hungarisches Pferd” A beautiful early representation of the Friesian horse and an appealing decorative work for an equestrian, country-house or natural-history collection. Joannes Jonstonus (1603–1675) Historiae naturalis de quadrupetibus Frankfurt am Main Published by the heirs of Matthäus Merian 1650 Original copper engraving Plate II This is an original antique print published in 1650, not a modern reproduction. Condition: Good antique condition with overall age-related toning, scattered spotting and surface marks. Noticeable old staining and discoloration to the lower left corner and margin. Minor handling creases and wear along the sheet edges. The engraved image remains strong and well defined. Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the condition description. Period Mid-17th Century Style Baroque Natural History Equestrian Subject Friesian Horse Hungarian Horse Equestrian Horses Natural History Zoology Frisian Keywords: Joannes Jonstonus, John Johnston, Jan Jonston, Matthäus Merian, Merian, Friesian horse, Frisian horse, Friesisch Pferd, Equus Frisicus, Hungarian horse, Pannonian horse, Equus Pannonicus, horse engraving, antique horse print, equestrian engraving, equestrian art, horse wall art...
Paper
1970s Framed Lithograph By American Artist Kay Jackson.
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 1970s Framed Lithograph By American Artist Kay Jackson. Features an abstract painting in rich earth tones, framed with the original solid wood fram...
Paper, Wood
$1,112
H 18.12 in W 13.39 in D 0.4 in
Engraving, Signed, 1928, Representative Stylized Horses Running, Framed
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Engraving, Signed, 1928, representative stylized horses running, framed Contact us before ordering to confirm product availability. Measures: Frame H 46...
Paper
$3,500
H 18.5 in W 15.5 in D 1 in
Limited Edition Signed Lithograph Entitled "Lit de Fleurs" by Georges Braque
By (after) Georges Braque
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and rare limited edition signed lithograph entitled "Lit de Fleurs" by Georges Braque, circa 1960. The print is signed in the lower right and is numbered 42/70 in bottom le...
Paper
Antique Botanical Lithograph, Armenian Apricot, de Vriese, 1856
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Botanical Lithograph, Armenian Apricot, de Vriese 1856 A beautifully detailed mid-19th century botanical chromolithograph depicting the Armenian apricot (Armeniaca mume var....
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
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
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
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
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
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
Sold
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
"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