Book Description
The enigmatic paintings of Giorgio de Chirico (1888-1978), with their dreamlike imagery of deserted city squares filled with mysterious shadows, stopped clocks, and sleeping statues, had a profound influence on modern art. A key to understanding de Chirico's œuvre is an early series of eight paintings of the mythical Greek princess Ariadne. This theme, to which de Chirico returned again and again throughout his life, exhibits a serial approach to making art that foreshadows the work of Andy Warhol. Some 180 paintings, drawings, sculptures, and documentary photographs, as well as essays considering the literary, artistic, historical, and philosophical meanings of this series of paintings, including an unpublished text by Max Ernst, constitute an unparalleled range of primary research materials, and provide the best overall account of de Chirico's career.
About the Author
Michael Taylor is Assistant Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. His published books include Henry Moore: A Centennial Salute. Matthew Gale is Collections Curator at Tate Modern in London. His published books include Dada and Surrealism.
Giorgio de Chirico and the Myth of Ariadne FROM THE PUBLISHER
The enigmatic paintings of Giorgio de Chirico (1888-1978), with their dreamlike imagery of deserted city squares filled with mysterious shadows, stopped clocks, and sleeping statues, had a profound influence on modern art. A key to understandingde Chirico's ﾽuvre is an early series of eight paintings of the mythical Greek princess Ariadne. This theme, to which de Chirico returned again and again throughout his life, exhibits a serial approach to making art that foreshadows the work of Andy Warhol. Some 180 paintings, drawings, sculptures, and documentary photographs, as well as essays considering the literary, artistic, historical, and philosophical meanings of this series of paintings, including an unpublished text by Max Ernst, constitute an unparalleled range of primary research materials, and provide the best overall account of de Chirico's career.
Author Biography: Michael Taylor is Assistant Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. His published books include Henry Moore: A Centennial Salute.
Matthew Gale is Collections Curator at Tate Modern in London. His published books include Dada and Surrealism.
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
The work of Italian painter Giorgio de Chirico (1888-1978) was a source of wonder and influence for the artists of his time and continues to inspire artists today. These two books examine the mythical themes that run through his works. The larger work, by Taylor (assistant curator, Philadelphia Museum of Art), which accompanies the exhibition in London and Philadelphia (which ended January 5), presents de Chirico's paintings of the Ariadne myth and considers his lifelong obsession with this haunting tale. The book emphasizes his impact on the artistic and philosophical world, especially the surrealists, who first lionized and later shunned him. Essays include a previously unpublished piece by Max Ernst that touchingly describes the loneliness and self-destructiveness of the artist. With excellent illustrations (55 of 180 in color), a selected bibliography, and the use of primary resource materials, this book is a fine contribution to the literature. Schmied, an art historian who knew de Chirico toward the end of the artist's life, maps the evolution of the human figure and its placement in the dreamlike settings of the paintings. His investigation interweaves the works of de Chirico, Arnold Becklin, and Max Ernst and inquires into the literary and philosophical world of the surrealists, especially Apollinaire (the subject of a portrait by de Chirico). Schmied intersperses commentaries upon specific paintings, always with the aim of explicating the transformation of the human figure. This interesting look at one aspect of the artist's life, written with insight and care, provides more questions than answers. Current literature shows a paucity of materials on de Chirico, and much older work is out of print. Thus, both of these titles are recommended for collections of modern art in large academic and public collections.-Paula Frosch, Metropolitan Museum of Art Lib., New York Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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