- Hardcover: 158 pages
- Publisher: Scholarly Book Services Inc (Jun 27 2002)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0720610427
- ISBN-13: 978-0720610420
- Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 14.6 x 2 cm
- Shipping Weight: 376 g
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Product Details |
Product Description
Book Description
This is the first major English language biography of the Italian artist and writer. De Chirico (1888-1978) was best known for his 'metaphysical' paintings but he also wrote the first surrealist novel, poems, articles about art and an autobiography. Even more mysterious than the paintings is the man himself - secretive, self-centred and contradictory, supercritical, ironic and humourless but creative in ways he probably hardly understood. The book contains new information about his philosophical studies, personal relationships, sexual problems and mental illness and resolves some of the enigmas that have confronted his critics. The author also considers de Chirico's influence on other artists such as Cocteau, Ernst, Tanguy and Magritte, as well as his professed dislike of the Surrealist movement.
About the Author
Translator and author, Margaret Crosland, is a leading authority on the life and work of the Marquis de Sade. She has translated a number of Sade's works for Peter Owen, including: The Mystified Magistrate, The Passionate Philosopher and Crimes of Love. She compiled the illustrations and wrote an introduction for a book of Jean Cocteau's erotic drawings, The Passionate Penis and has translated other works by, amongst others, Cocteau and Colette.
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Customer Reviews
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.0 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not a scholarly work., Mar 11 2008
By Tasha B. - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Enigma of Giorgio de Chirico (Hardcover)
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.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not a definitive study, IMO., Dec 4 2007
By Painter - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Enigma of Giorgio de Chirico (Hardcover)
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
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Art And Metaphysics, July 31 2004
By Robert S. Robbins - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Enigma of Giorgio de Chirico (Hardcover)
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.
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