Giorgio De Chirico and the Myth of Ariadne

Rating:
Summary: rethinking de chirico
Review: this catalogue and the exhibition that accompanied it offer a brilliantly argued, revisionist account of the post-1919 work of giorgio de chirico, who remains one of the most important and influential artists of the 20th century. overturning decades of negative opinion regarding the paintings that de chirico made after the first world war, when he abandoned his earlier metaphysical style, michael taylor convincingly argues that the artist continued to create highly interesting and often thought provoking works of art. taylor uses the theme of the myth of ariadne, which runs throughout de chirico's long career, as a lens by which to explore the diverse range of stylistic changes that the artist underwent in response to external factors such as the return to order movement espoused by his friend jean cocteau. i would heartily recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of modern art, especially surrealism and metaphysical painting, which has been forever changed by this superb account.

alan charlton,@tokyo university