The Life and Art of Giorgio de Chirico: Masterpieces and Visionary Philosophy

Here he is depicted contemplating his own image as it would appear in a classical bust. But the artist is looking beyond the earlier influence, looking at the viewer with an experienced expression, showing his intention to take his art further.

Both represent the artist's growing interest in traditional techniques.

The Painter's Family - The mannequins that are trademarks in his work appear here with a solidity of flesh, while their grouping echoes traditional scenes of the Holy Family.

The easel and paintbrush seem to refer to the artist's belief in the importance of ancient technical skills.

However, his relationship to tradition and the past has always been ambiguous and ironic.

The fragments of construction emerging from the mannequins' stomachs, for example, seem vaguely classical, but also suggest building blocks of a child.

"Everything has two aspects: the current aspect, which we see almost always and which the common man sees, and the fantastical and metaphysical aspect, which only rare individuals can see in moments of clairvoyance and metaphysical abstraction". (Giorgio de Chirico)

"Art is the fatal net that captures these strange moments flying like mysteries, fleeing from the innocence and distraction of the common man." - Giorgio de Chirico

"What I hear has no value; only what I see is alive, and when I close my eyes, my vision becomes even more powerful". (Giorgio de Chirico)