Customer Reviews

The Enigma of Giorgio de Chirico

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This biography is not that interesting. Unlike the recent biography of Lady Hamilton, which was utterly ridiculous yet immenently readable and entertaining, this book is neither of those things and thus kind of boring. Although Crossland has "discovered" some new aspects of de Chirico's biography, she doesn't really investigate him and his motivations in-depth. Instead of offering insight, the book has a formulaic feeling to it. Furthermore, if you're reading the book for scholarly information instead of entertainment, you're going to be disappointed in that respect as well. This is not a work by a historian or art historian, and it shows. That being said, sadly this is the only full-fledged biography of de Chirico. For that reason alone, you should probably pick it up... at the library.

This is a short and not terribly well written biography of Giorgio de Chirico. The author should refrain from interpreting what motivated the paintings because she seems to have a superficial understanding of what art is really all about. I would not consider this a serious study of the painter. As well, this book should have been better edited. For example, on page 114, following the death of the painter's mother: "When he go back, in 1938, he had intended to have a splendid tomb built ..." Fortunately, I bought this book as a remainder and even then paid too much at $16.98. Look elsewhere for depth on the great painter Giorgio de Chirico

This biography of Giorgio de Chirico reveals that the artist considered himself more of a metaphysical painter than a surrealist. I think this provides a clue to a more interesting perspective on his work, that his paintings should be viewed as explorations of philosophical mysteries rather than the haunting imagery of dreams. The author also frequently points out that Giorgio de Chirico's paintings bring the real and the unreal together. In a philosophical context, this is not the same as saying they represent the surreal. The only objection I have to this book is that she places too much emphasis on his relationship with women which seems a bit self-conscious.