A retrospective exhibition of the work of Giorgio de Chirico (1888 – 1978), an important 20th Century artist who hasn’t been exposed in Paris for 25 years. Wonder why?

Collection Museu de Arte Contemporanea da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brésil – Adgp


170 paintings, sculptures, sketches and a selection of archives show the very particular work of this artists, active from 1909 to 1975. The exhibition tries to show the unity of the works of art by bringing a contemporary view to the mythical fantasy that is de Chirico’s dreamland, a sort of mutant metaphysical place.

Metaphysical Interior with Biscuits. Isn’t that the best title ever?

Giorgio de Chirico, the inventor or metaphysical painting as revelation moved to Paris in 1911. He first fascinated Guillaume Apollinaire who, in 1913, introduced the artist into his circle of friends – Picasso, Derain, Max Jacob, Braque, Picabia, etc. – together with Paul Guillaume, his first agent. In the early 1920s, the dream-like aspect, the prophetic dimension, the subtle incongruities and oddness seen in Giorgio de Chirico’s work found an immediate anchor in the emerging surrealism of Magritte, Ernst, Picabia and Eluard. André Breton saw it as “modern mythology” before classing it regressively anti-modern a few years later.

The Nostalgia of the Infinite,1913-14

Here’s all the essential information for the Giorgio de Chirico exhibition

When: 13th February – 24th May 2009
Where: Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. Métro Iéna (line 9). Bus 32, 63, 72 & 92
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 6pm Late night opening on Thursdays for the temporary exhibition until 10pm. Closed Mondays and some public holidays
Admission: free! (at least there’s no price given on the site)
Official site: ici
Wikipedia page on De Chirico : here

Bigger map here