Giorgio de Chirico

GIORGIO DE CHIRICO (Volos, Greece, 1888–Rome, 1978).
“The Horses of Perseus,” 1972.
Color lithograph on paper, print no. 20/99.
Signed, titled, and numbered by hand.
Dry stamp of Alberto Caprini, printer and publisher, Rome.
Bibliography: E. Brandani, Giorgio de Chirico. Catalogo dell’opera grafica 1969–1977, Edizioni Bora, Bologna, 1990, p. 187.
Measurements: 70 × 50 cm.

This work belongs to De Chirico’s Neo-Metaphysical period, during which he revisited images from his early Metaphysical paintings through a more luminous and theatrical language. The vast empty space and the combination of archaeological and mythological elements reinforce the enigmatic nature of the composition, which is more evocative than narrative. The horses are set in a Mediterranean landscape with classical overtones. The temple, the sea, and the column fragments create a suspended, timeless scene in which the animals take on an almost sculptural presence.

Giorgio de Chirico was a key figure in 20th-century art and one of the founders of Metaphysical painting. His deserted squares, classical architecture, and unreal perspectives exerted a significant influence on Surrealism. His work is represented in institutions such as MoMA and the Tate.