Who is Giorgio de Chirico?

Giorgio de Chirico (1888-1978) was an Italian artist whose enigmatic ‘Metaphysical’ paintings directly inspired Surrealism. Before Surrealism existed, de Chirico created haunting cityscapes featuring empty arcades, elongated shadows, classical statues, and an overwhelming sense of mystery and unease. Paintings like ‘The Song of Love’ and ‘Mystery and Melancholy of a Street’ established visual vocabularies that Surrealists would adopt. Andre Breton celebrated de Chirico’s early work, though the artist later rejected Surrealism and returned to classical styles. His exploration of the uncanny in ordinary spaces, manipulation of perspective, and dreamlike atmospheres made him a crucial precursor whose influence permeates Surrealist and contemporary imaginative art.